Social Theories And Implications Of Poor Body Image

Implications of poor body image

Social functioning

Actual attractiveness has consistently been shown to be related to various aspects of social functioning. Additionally, studies have also shown that the way an individual feels about his or her body is also associated with social functioning. In a review of such studies, Tantleff-Dunn and Kinder (2011) noted the general trend that people who felt more positively about their bodies tended to report greater comfort and confidence in their interpersonal interactions, while others who felt more negatively about their bodies reported more discomfort in social situations, and more avoidance of these situations (Annis, Cash, & Hrabosky, 2004; Cash, Theriault, & Annis, 2004; Davidson & McCabe, 2005; Nezlek, 1999). The researchers involved in these studies have attempted to explain these findings through theories and frameworks such as social cognition and attachment theory.

The social cognition framework ties in with the sociocultural model of influence on body image. While the sociocultural model of influence has been seen as a way through which body image develops, the social cognition framework extends this relationship to be reciprocal in nature. This means that while the opinions of others might shape an individual’s view of his or her body, body image can also act a filter that impacts the nature and quality of one’s relationships.

Bowlby’s (reference) attachment theory proposes that early attachment has an impact on later social functioning and the development of psychopathology. Building on this school of thought, four attachment styles were conceptualized (Bartholomew & Horowitz, reference). In general, the four attachment styles can be viewed as either secure or insecure....

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...a causal factor in the development of BDD, body image dissatisfaction is seen as central to the pathology and maintenance of the disorder (Phillips, 2011). Individuals with BDD thus might also benefit from the treatment of body image disturbances.

Poor Body Image and Adolescents

Even before the age of formal schooling, children are likely to be exposed to thin beauty ideals (Blowers, Loxton, Grady-Flesser, Occhipinti, & Dawe, 2003; Dittmar, Halliwell, & Ive, 2006), and it has been found that in girls as early as 6 or 7 years of age, their level of awareness of the thin ideal body is similar to that of girls five or six years older (Murnen, Smolak, Mills, & Good, 2003). Research has also shown that body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes are also common at this point in childhood, particularly among girls (Ricciardelli & McCabe, 2001; Smolak, 2004).