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There are conflicting data in the literature regarding the effects of mirror exposure on subjective body-image evaluation. Much of the objective self-awareness research by Duval and Wicklund concluded that the presence of a mirror leads people to evaluate themselves negatively, while other studies have reported contrary findings. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mirror confrontation on individuals' body image ratings. Subjects were 88 childless, female university students. Using the Eating Disorders Inventory-Body Dissatisfaction subscale (BDS) as a screener, subjects were assigned to either a High Satisfaction group or a Low Satisfaction group. The subjects then completed the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) in either a Mirror or No Mirror condition. Results suggest that the presence of the mirror had no measurable effect on the subjects' ratings of themselves on the MBSRQ. There was a main effect for satisfaction level, and no interaction was found between the satisfaction level and the mirror condition. Possible explanations for these findings are offered.

This investigation sought to identify anxiety responses to weight measurement, assessed by verbal report and cardiovascular reactivity CCR3 (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate), which might differentiate females with either high or low self-reported bulimic behavior. Secondar i ly,, the study attempted to examine specific autonomic nervous system (ANS) arousal patterns of each group over time. The Bulimia Test (BULIT), Body Dissatisfaction Scale (BD), and a demographic questionnaire were administered to 105 undergraduate females at The University of North Texas. Based on BULIT scores, females were divided into high or low bulimic behavior groups. Of the 105 females screened, forty participated in the experiment which consisted of four phases: relaxation, anticipation of weight measurement, weight measurement, and recovery. Subjects had no prior knowledge of the weight stressor until presentation during the experiment. Results showed that subjects' notion of ideal weight was substantially lower than measured weight. During weight measurement, all subjects reported increased anxiety although the high group reported significantly more anxiety. Contrary to prediction, no significant group differences in CR were found when repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed. Orthogonal polynomial trend analysis was done with pooled groups, resulting in significant within-subject trends for all cardiovascular measures. There was also a significant group by time of measurement interaction for heart rate during the weight measurement phase. Correlational analyses failed to produce significant results between verbal report of anxiety and CR. There was, however, a significant correlation between BULIT and BD scores. It was concluded that heightened subjective anxiety during weight measurement could not be attributed to group differences in CR. Regarding ANS arousal patterns, mixed evidence of active and passive coping was seen. Nevertheless, both psychological and physiological measures supported an overvaluation of female thinness consistent with societal trends regardless of group membership. Implications of findings were discussed along with suggestions for future research.

Bibliography: leaves 406-467. / This explorative study, partially based on the psychological and developmental perspectives, evaluated female sexuality and body image during pregnancy and the postnatal period. A cross-sectional and longitudinal research design was used. Several female (n = 208) and male ( n = 84) subsamples were evaluated. Assessment included a Biographical Questionnaire, Female and Male Sexuality Scales rated on 3- and 5- point scales, and the Rorschach Inkblot Test, scored for Barrier and Penetration responses. Parametric and non-parametric statistical techniques were employed in the cross-sectional data analysis. The biographical background of the subjects was homogeneous. Predominantly all of the women were educated, had planned their pregnancies, attended prenatal classes and were informed about the process of pregnancy. Chi-square tests on the single items measuring female sexuality, from prior to conception to during pregnancy, and after childbirth, showed a significant decline in females' sexual satisfaction and in the intensity with which they experienced orgasms. Excluding the retrospective data, a significant decline was found on female sexual desire and enjoyment during pregnancy and during the postnatal period. Physiologically related reasons were commonly associated with declined sexual desire. Few pregnant or postnatal women abstained from sexual intercourse or introduced coital methods and positions unfamiliar to them. A factor analysis of the single sexuality variables revealed four factors, Sexual Responsivity, Sexual Orgasmic Ability, Multiple Orgasmic Ability and Sexual Motivation. The data subjected to a multivariate analysis of variance yielded a significant linear downward trend of Female Sexual Responsivity over the gestation period and after childbirth. The conclusion is drawn that female sexuality I specifically referring to the psychological dimension (Factor 1) was not related to a specific trimester (or stage). No significant differences were evident on the physiological dimension of female sexuality referring to Orgasmic Ability or Sexual Motivation. Female body image was assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The descriptive analysis showed that pregnant women felt overweight, and unacceptable by social standards, yet they viewed these bodily states as temporary. The projective account of body image yielded no significant differences. The conclusion was drawn that women consciously rejected their pregnant body image, but subconsciously it formed part of their identity. Expectant fathers only experienced a significant decline in sexual satisfaction and initiated less sexual activity during their wives' pregnancy. It was concluded that male sexuality was minimally affected by their partner's pregnancy. Finally, pregnancy was found to be a natural and positive event.

The purpose of this study was to examine any differences that may exist among demographic variables such as gender, age, and race in regard to internalization of society and media messages leading to body dissatisfaction that may lead to disordered eating behaviors such as preoccupation with weight, dieting, and eating restraint. A total of 324 participants completed the demographic questionnaire, the Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire, the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire for women, the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-Revised-Male-Version for men, and Rotter’s Internal-External (I-E) Locus of Control Scale. The results of this study found, as predicted, that Caucasians reported higher internalization, higher body dissatisfaction, and higher preoccupation with weight, dieting, and eating restraint than African Americans. This study showed no differences regarding men’s and women’s internalization or body dissatisfaction but did reveal that women reported higher preoccupation with weight, dieting, and eating restraint than men. Regarding age, this study found that age did not predict internalization, body dissatisfaction, or preoccupation with weight, dieting, and eating restraint.

Common features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), including hyperandrogenism, ovarian dysfunction and obesity, can be highly distressing. We compared 40 women with PCOS to women with infertility but not PCOS, and to women with neither PCOS nor infertility, on measures of depression and body image. Women with PCOS reported higher depression scores and greater body dissatisfaction (p < .001) than comparison group women. Body image was strongly associated with depression overall, even after controlling body mass. Among women with PCOS, body dissatisfaction measures and education explained 66 percent of the variance in depression, suggesting explanations of the PCOS-depression link should consider the role of potentially mediating psychosocial variables.

Through various media platforms, thin ideal is reproduced and considered as thenorm. Women who do not identify with this thin ideal are produced as "inferior" toother women. The aim of this study is to provide an understanding of how Swedishwomen between the ages of 30–40 construct and interpret the thin ideal. We haveinterviewed eight women who in one way or the other adhere to the “thin ideal”existing in Swedish society. To analyze our empirical material, we have mainly usedthe theories from Jenkins and Krekula. Jenkins´s theory has helped us to understandhow these women's identity-processes change in different social contexts. We haveused Kurakula’s theory to understand how age norms affect the ways the women areacting, in relation to their age. Our study shows that the women are effected by andcompare themselves to other women in Swedish society. To construct and interpretthe thin ideal they use different strategies which are to distance or themselves fromthe ideal or adapt themselves to the ideal. Yet, more important than that, our studyshows that women accept their bodies and consider being healthy more importantthan being thin.

ABSTRACT Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects women in Sweden and in the world. The primary treatment is surgery, so called mastectomy. These big changes in the life situation creates suffering for the patient because the existence is being threatened, violated or reprobated. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe how mental wellness, body image and self-esteem as well as sexuality and relationships effects of undergoing mastectomy. Method: A descriptive literature study of qualitative articles with a qualitative approach. Results: Women who have undergone a mastectomy go through many different conditions and emotions that will affect their mental health in the short term but also in the long term. Depending on one's condition and where one has come in life, mental health is affected in different ways. The breast is someone that women described as femininity, beauty and motherhood. The loss of the breast meant the loss of being a complete woman, these negatively affect the women's mental wellness, body image and self-esteem as well as sexuality and relationships, which has led to a life of mental illness. Conclusion: Women who have undergone mastectomy experience an affected mental wellness, body image and self-esteem as well as sexuality and relationships. It is mainly the woman's mental well-being that is negatively affected, but as time passes after the operation, an improvement takes place. Characteristic of the study was how the women experienced feelings of fear and anxiety and that their close relationships with partners and relatives were also negatively affected.

Female collegiate athletes have been identified as a group at risk of developing eating disorders (EDs) and unhealthy weight control behaviors. Interventions grounded in cognitive dissonance theory and those that incorporate mindfulness-based interventions have shown improved body image and reductions in internalization and ED symptomatology over time in female non-athletes. However, few studies have examined the efficacy of intervention programs among female athletes, and, despite early promising results, previous research has been limited in several ways (e.g., methodology, small sample size). The purpose of this study was to conduct a long-term (i.e., three years) qualitative follow-up evaluation of Bodies in Motion (BIM), an ED prevention program developed specifically to acknowledge the unique experience and needs of female athletes with respect to their bodies as women and athletes. Results indicate that, similar to their initial experiences, now-retired athletes reported increased awareness of sport and societal messages and their impact on body image, shifted perspectives in their view of themselves and their bodies, and ongoing use of skills to manage body image in their lives. Further, with the passage of time, athletes continued to report a positive experience in the program and the utility of Bodies in Motion as they navigated challenging life transitions. These results indicate that the Bodies in Motion program has long-term benefits for female collegiate athletes consistent with program aims, even as athletes transition out of their sports.

Övergripande syftet i föreliggande studie var att studera manliga Crossfit-utövares tankar, känslor och upplevelser kring sin egen kroppsuppfattning och kroppsideal i relation till träningsformen Crossfit. I studien medverkade 10 deltagare i åldrarna 24–47 år (M=33,1 SD=7,71). Föreliggande studie använde sig av en semistrukturerad intervjuguide som basera sig kring ett teoretiskt ramverk av Lox et al. (2014) gällande kroppsuppfattning. Resultaten fördelades in i fyra teman som utvecklades: Sociokulturella faktorer, fysiska egenskaper, fysiska förändringar och psykologiska faktorer. Resultaten visar att manliga Crossfit-utövare innehar en positiv kroppsuppfattning trots att det finns specifika kroppsideal inom Crossfit-kulturen. Vidare visar resultaten att Crossfit-utövarna i föreliggande studie är generellt nöjda med sitt utseende på den egna kroppen och dess fysiska prestation. Detta trots att fysiskt utseende var en väldigt viktig faktor för deltagarna. Däremot var prestation och funktionalitet viktigare i en Crossfit kontext. Resultaten visar att Crossfit-utövarna i föreliggande studie var generellt nöjda med den egna kroppens utseende samt dess prestationsförmåga, trots att detta ibland kunde förändras under korta perioder ifall en skada inträffade eller ett träningspass inte gick som förväntat. / The overall purpose of the current study was to study male Crossfit participants thoughts feeling and experiences regarding their body image and body ideals in relation to Crossfit. A total of 10 participants aged between 24-47 years (M=33,1 SD= 7,71) participated in the study. The present study used a semi-structured interview guide based on the theoretical framework regarding body image by Lox et al (2014). The result was divided into four themes that were developed: Sociocultural factors, physical characteristics, physical changes, and psychological factors. The results showed that male Crossfit participants have a positive body image even though there are certain body ideals within the Crossfit community. Furthermore, the Crossfit participants in the study had a general appreciation towards their body and their physical performance. However even though every participant proved to have a great value in physical appearance, performance and functionality seems to be the utmost wanted feature in the context of Crossfit. The results indicate that male Crossfit participants overall have a positive body image and are generally amused with their performance and body image, even if at times this can change due to injuries or not performing well during a specific workout.