SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Body Image”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

Body image, sexuality and the psychotic core.

The mental representation of the body--that is, the body image--is a basic element of the person's relationship to himself as well as to reality. From a developmental point of view the body image only becomes finally integrated to form the basis of the person's sexual and gender identity at the end of adolescence. This final body image can contain distortions compared to the person's real body (as viewed by others) and thus can represent a break with some aspects of external reality. In this paper I use material from the analyses of two patients, one adult and one adolescent, to show the compelling quality of the need to maintain a specific body image, and how it becomes related to their sexuality. I also discuss how, when the body image is one that is distorted, it forms a psychotic core to the personality in that it must affect the person's relationship to external reality.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Psychometric properties of the Body Image Scale in women with benign gynaecological conditions.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Body Image Scale (originally designed for use in cancer) in women with benign gynaecological conditions. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective completion of the Body Image Scale by women participating in the EVALUATE Hysterectomy Trial. The scale was completed pre-operatively, then 6 weeks, 4 and 12 months post-operatively. The psychometric properties were evaluated by assessing the reliability, response prevalence, discriminant validity and sensitivity to change. Factor analysis was also conducted to determine the scale structure. RESULTS: The Body Image Scale showed good reliability and clinical validity. Differences between sub-groups of women were detected, demonstrating good discriminant validity. The Body Image Scale was shown to be responsive to changes in body image. CONCLUSIONS: The Body Image Scale was shown to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing body image in women with benign gynaecological conditions and for use in clinical trials involving such women.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Cross-cultural relationships between self-concept and body image in high school-age boys.

The relationship between self-concept and body image was investigated through a secondary analysis of data from a sample of 1,200 high school male students from 30 language/culture communities (Osgood, May, & Myron, 1975). Subjects rated adjectives pertaining to self-concept and body image using 7-step semantic differential bipolar scales. Adjectives were related to the dimensions of Evaluation, Potency, and Activity. Correlation, factor analysis, and multiple regression were utilized to examine multivariate relationships among self-concept dimensions and body-image dimensions. Significant positive correlations were found between self-concept and body image. In addition, significant positive relationships were found when self-concept factors were regressed on the body-image factor (R2 = .49 to .57, p less than or equal to .001) for Activity and Potency. Results support the existence of a strong positive relationship between self-concept and body image across the 30 cultures involved. Findings have important implications for nursing in assessment and interventions with clients who have deficits in either self-concept or body image.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Preliminary development of the Body Image Affect Scale.

A new body-image questionnaire was developed to measure the affect associated with a negative body image. Responses showed a Cronbach coefficient alpha of .84 and a negative correlation of -.21 with using humor in times of stress.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Validation of the FKB-20 as scale for the detection of body image distortions in psychosomatic patients].

The study examines the validity of a body image questionnaire (FKB-20) assessing body image disturbances in a clinical sample (n = 405 outpatients of a psychosomatic clinic) and two non-clinical samples (n = 141 medical students and n = 208 sports students). The criterion group was constituted by 98 patients of the clinical sample with diagnosed body image disturbances (anorexia, transsexualism, hypochondriac symptoms). The validity coefficients were 0.56-0.65. The sensitivity of the questionnaire was 82-90%, the specificity 90-97%, and the total mistake rate was 8-10%. The FKB-20 proves to have good validity and can be used for the diagnosis of body image disturbances.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Body image and eating disordered behavior in a community sample of Black and Hispanic women.

OBJECTIVE: The current study examined body image concerns and eating disordered behaviors in a community sample of Black and Hispanic women. In addition, this study explored whether there are ethnic differences in the correlates or in the prediction of body image concerns. METHOD: Participants were 120 (67 Black and 53 Hispanic) women who responded to advertisements to participate in a study of women and health. Participants completed a battery of established self-report measures to assess body image, eating disordered behaviors, and associated psychological domains. RESULTS: Black and Hispanic women did not differ significantly in their self-reports of body image, eating disordered behaviors, or associated psychological measures. Comparisons performed separately within both ethnic groups revealed significant differences by weight status, with a general graded patterning of greater concerns in obese than overweight than average weight groups. In terms of predicting body image, multiple regression analyses testing a number of variables, including BMI, performed separately for Black and Hispanic women revealed that eating concern and depressive affect were significant predictors of body image concern for both groups. DISCUSSION: Overall, Black and Hispanic women differed little in their self-reports of body image, eating-disordered features, and depressive affect. Higher weight was associated with a general pattern of increased body image concerns and features of eating disorders in both groups and with binge eating in Black women. Eating concerns and depressive affect emerged as significant independent predictors of body image for both ethnic groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of body image in patient compliance and education.

This study investigated the relation between one aspect of body image (body cathexis) and the achievement of knowledge about life after a heart attack, as well as subsequent compliance with posthospitalization prescriptions. There was no significant correlation between body cathexis and achieved knowledge. The hypothesis which proposed that a relationship exists between body cathexis and compliance with posthospitalization prescriptions was statistically significant, body-cathexis effects are inferred to be present in compliance behaviors, and the hypothesis was supported. A statistically significant correlation was not found to exist between achieved knowledge and subsequent compliance behavior.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Body-image attitudes: evaluation, investment, and affect.

The structure of the attitudinal body-image construct was examined by factor analysis of 11 body-image measures among 279 college women. Results support a distinction between evaluative or affective and cognitive-behavioral investment components. Multiple regression analysis further indicated that the optimal prediction of negative body-image affect requires both evaluative and investment aspects of body image.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

The borderland of anorexia nervosa: relationship of weight loss and amenorrhoea to body image measures.

The attitudes to body image of a group of nursing students were measured by a form of the repertory grid. These responses are compared with responses of low weight and refed anorexia nervosa subjects. A high incidence (20 percent) of self-reported amenorrhoea associated with dieting and weight loss was present in the nursing student group. Those subjects reporting such an experience were demonstrably different from both the remainder of the nursing student group and the anorectics. Major findings were the personal perception of themselves as more feeling and sexual despite a continuance of an apparent desire for a belly thinner than that actually perceived. These distinctions may reflect important psychological conflicts operative in development or continuance of anorexia nervosa.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Self concept and body image in involuntary sterility].

From theoretical reasons and clinical experience with infertile women, an impairment of the self-image and the body-image was to be expected with involuntarily childless people. Our hypothesis was tested in a sample of 107 subjects. 59 of them (f = 30, m = 29) were patients undergoing treatment for infertility. The two control groups consisted of 24 parents and 24 (voluntary) nonparents. Four instruments were used: 1. a modified version of the Role Construct Repertory Test according to Kelly (1955); 2. rating scales concerning different parental and non-parental roles; 3. the Questionnaire About One's Own Body by Strauss and Appelt (1983); 4. our Questionnaire About Problems Caused by Involuntary Childlessness. Contrary to what we expected, we neither found greater distances between self and ideal self nor an unfavourable body-image in involuntarily childless subjects. The male patients presented themselves even more self-confident and more attractive than the men of the control groups.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of early body image dissatisfaction on subsequent psychological and physical adjustment after disfiguring injury.

OBJECTIVE: The impact of body image dissatisfaction on quality of life after severe burn injury was investigated after controlling for other determinants of outcome (i.e., injury, distress, and preburn quality of life). METHODS: The postburn quality of life (2-months postdischarge) of groups with and without body image dissatisfaction was studied after controlling for preburn quality of life (measured 2-3 days postadmission). The patient population (N = 86) was 77.9% men, had an average total body surface area burned of 17.02%, and average full-thickness burn of 6.09%. Forty percent had facial injuries, 68.6% required surgery, most were injured by flame (39.5%), and 76.8% were employed. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of covariance (covarying preburn level of Mental quality of life, facial injury, and size of burn) contrasting body image dissatisfaction groups found significantly lower psychosocial adjustment at 2-month follow-up in those with greater body image dissatisfaction (multivariate F = 3.61; p<.01). A second MANCOVA (covarying the preburn level of Physical quality of life and both facial injury and size of burn) found significantly lower physical functioning at 2-month follow-up in those with greater body image dissatisfaction (multivariate F = 2.78; p < .03). Adding two more covariates (depression and posttrauma distress) eliminated the effect of body image dissatisfaction on postburn Physical but not Mental adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Body image dissatisfaction affects quality of life after severe burn injury. Distress moderates this impact on aspects of physical but not psychosocial health.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1999

Testicular prostheses: body image and sexual functioning.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate retrospectively the body image and sexual functioning in patients who have a testicular prosthesis (TP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical charts were evaluated for 30 adult patients who received 32 TPs between 1985 and 1997. A questionnaire was mailed to each patient, asking about body image, satisfaction with the implant and with sexual functioning. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients, 22 (73%) replied; their mean (range) age was 30 (18-47) years. Most of the patients had a silicone gel-filled TP. No complications were reported in 25 (83%) patients and 80% reported no sexual problems; 20% felt uncomfortable in intimate contacts, 68% found their body image improved after having a TP, 58% were satisfied with their current sexual life, 90% had no erectile dysfunction and 45% reported premature ejaculation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have lost a testis for any reason should be informed about the availability of a TP. Prostheses were well accepted and no systemic disease was reported. Almost all patients reported an improvement in their body image. Sexual life and performance were apparently not compromised by having a TP. New surgical procedures are recommended to improve the cosmetic appearance of a TP in the scrotum.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Body image disturbances in anorexia nervosa and obesity.

Measures were made of body image and personality features in patients with anorexia nervosa and obesity. It was hypothesized that obese and anorexic patients would display similar body image disturbances characterized by relative overestimation of body size in comparison with control subjects. Body image was measured by both a distorting photograph technique (a general measure) and a visual size estimation apparatus (for specific body regions). Personality features were assessed by the Eysenck Personality Inventory and a modified version of Rotter's Locus of Control Scale. Results indicated that both obese (N=16) and anorexic (N=18) subjects significantly differed from three control groups (P less than 0.01) in body size estimation on a general measure of body image. A measure of specific body regions did not differentiate between groups. For anorexic and obese patients, body size estimates were significantly correlated with personality features.

Anorexia Nervosa↗

PubMed1999

Body image, decision making, and breast cancer treatment.

This study was performed to describe women's satisfaction with body image before and 8 weeks after the surgical treatment of breast cancer compared with women without breast cancer. Additional aims were to describe women's perceived participation in decisions regarding choice of surgical procedure to treat their breast cancer, and postoperative satisfaction with their breast cancer treatment, as well as to explore factors influencing women's decisions regarding choice of surgical procedure. The design was prospective with a descriptive, comparative design. The convenience sample included 31 women with breast cancer from an urban breast health center, and 30 women without breast cancer from the community. The majority were college educated, white, ranging in age from 29-82 years. Women with breast cancer completed instruments before and 8 weeks after surgery. Women without breast cancer completed the instruments two times 8 weeks apart. Three instruments measuring body image satisfaction were used. Participation in treatment decision-making, having a treatment choice, and posttreatment satisfaction, along with a description of important factors in decision making, were measured with open and closed-ended questions. During the study period, women with breast cancer experienced a significant decrease in satisfaction with body image after surgery (p < .004). Satisfaction with body image remained constant in the women without breast cancer. Most (94%) of the women with breast cancer reported participating in treatment decisions about the type of surgical procedure used to treat their breast cancer, had a treatment choice (77%), and were moderately to very satisfied with the outcome of their surgeries (94%). Qualitative data results suggest that women's treatment decisions were based on their perceptions of "survival," that is, which type of surgery offered the best chance for long-term survival. These data suggest that satisfaction with body image is disturbed by surgery for breast cancer despite active participation in decisions regarding selection of treatment or postoperative satisfaction with type of surgical treatment received. These outcomes suggest that women need assistance in adjusting to alterations in body image from nurses and the need for research to describe effective interventions. Future studies of body image and breast cancer treatment should be conducted with larger samples, and at different points after surgery to determine the effects of mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery on the body image of breast cancer survivors over time.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder on body image and psychological adjustment.

Eating and body dysmorphic disorders are two diagnoses with body image disturbance as a central feature. No empirical study of the similarity of these disorders or any controlled study of body dysmorphic disorder were available. The present study compared 45 women with anorexia or bulimia nervosa to 51 men and women with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and 50 nonclinical controls. The eating disorder patients were mainly preoccupied with weight and body shape. BDD subjects had more diverse physical complaints and reported more negative self-evaluation and avoidance due to appearance. However, the two groups showed equally severe body image symptoms overall, and were clearly abnormal compared with controls. Both types of patients had negative self-esteem, but eating disorder patients had more widespread psychological symptoms. In conclusion, the disorders are comparable on psychological measures. Explanations of the minor differences and questions for future research on the relation between eating and body dysmorphic disorders are presented.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2006

Differences for gender, weight and exercise in body image disturbance and eating disorder symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Differences for gender, weight, exercise frequency and type for eating disorder symptoms and body image disturbance were examined. Further understanding of male body image disturbance was the primary goal. METHOD: Males (n=200) and females (n=233) completed measures to assess eating disorder symptoms and multiple components of body image disturbance. Measures were modified to be more appropriate for males. RESULTS: Females endorsed higher levels of eating and body concerns. Males were divided between a desire to maintain, increase or decrease their size. Higher weight and exercise frequency was associated with increased body image concern and eating disorder symptoms, particularly for males. Exercise frequency was also linked to higher self-esteem for males. Males who used muscle-enhancing supplements indicated increased social pressures and concern for appearance, and a desire to increase their size. DISCUSSION: The findings support that weight and exercise frequency affect eating disorder symptoms and body image disturbance. Males appear to exhibit body image disturbance, which is related to their current weight status. Results support the call for further development of measures that more adequately address male concerns.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Body image and African American females' sexual health.

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the association between African American adolescent females' body image and their sexual health. METHODS: African American adolescent females (n = 522) completed a survey that assessed body image using a 7-item scale (alpha = 0.71) and a face-to-face interview that assessed sexual behaviors. RESULTS: In logistic regression analyses, controlling for depression, self-esteem and body mass index (BMI), adolescents who were more dissatisfied with their body image were more likely to fear abandonment as a result of negotiating condom use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.3, p = 0.02), more likely to perceive that they had fewer options for sexual partners (AOR = 2.4, p = 0.001), more likely to perceive themselves as having limited control in their sexual relationships (AOR = 2.0, p = 0.002), and more likely to worry about acquiring HIV(AOR = 1.5, p = 0.04). There was an association between having a greater dissatisfaction with one's body image and never using condoms during sexual intercourse in the past 30 days (AOR = 1.6, p = 0.04) and more likely to engage in unprotected vaginal sex in the prior 6 months (AOR = 1.6, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Prior research has demonstrated an association between African American women's body image and greater obesity risk, lower self-esteem, and greater depression. The present study has shown an association between body image dissatisfaction and a range of sexual attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Women who are more dissatisfied with their body image may be at greater risk for unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and HIV infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Colloquial descriptions of body image in older surgical patients.

Major surgery and associated experiences in critical care settings affect patients' perceptions of their body images. This paper discusses several colloquial terms related to body image used in interviews by elderly patients following major surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm. The terms 'badly failed, and well mended', and 'out of sorts', and 'in tune with my body' recurred. These referred to perceptions related to body weight or strength and bodily competence and control, respectively. Patients had difficulty explaining these colloquial terms in other words, i.e. synonyms were not readily available to them. Therefore, discussions or assessment using conventional body image terms used in psychology and nursing literature may be confusing, misunderstood or irrelevant to these patients. This may be true for other groups, not necessarily elderly patients, using other colloquialisms. Such terms may not correspond directly to conventional body image terms, so comparability must be ascertained before standard body image instruments can be justified for use in such populations. Nurses and health care professionals need to be sensitive to such colloquial descriptions when assessing need and interventions involving psychological perceptions of body image. It is suggested that these colloquial terms, which patients naturally perceive as relevant, should be used to communicate, discuss, and assess therapy during recovery after major surgery that involves intensive care.

Activities of Daily Living↗