<p>Body image is an important component of physical and psychological health. Cash's
(2002) cognitive-behavioural model of body image is useful for understanding factors
related to body image, such as body composition and leisure time physical activity
(LTPA). Changes in body composition and LTPA following spinal cord injury (SCI)
may increase the risk of developing an unhealthy body image and may jeopardize the
overall health and well-being of people with SCI. Unfortunately, little research had been
conducted to explore factors related to body image in the SCI population.</p><p>The object of the current thesis was to examine body image in people with SCI, within
the framework of Cash's (2002) model. Specifically, we examined the relationships
between appearance and functional satisfaction, LTPA, and body composition in 61 men
and women with SCI. Pearson's correlations were calculated to examine the relationship
between body composition and body satisfaction. In order to compare body satisfaction
between men and women who engaged in some LTPA versus no LTPA, separate 2 (sex) x
2 (LTPA) ANOVAs were calculated for appearance satisfaction and functional
satisfaction.</p><p>We hypothesized that body composition would be negatively related to appearance
satisfaction and functional satisfaction such that higher body weight, percentage body fat
and waist circumference would be associated with lower levels of satisfaction. Further,
we hypothesized that after controlling for body composition, participants who engaged in
LTPA would have more appearance and functional satisfaction than those who did not.Finally, we hypothesized that body satisfaction would be more strongly related to
moderate-intensity LTPA versus mild-intensity LTPA, and resistance-LTPA versus
aerobic-LTP A.</p><p>In partial support of our hypothesis, body composition was significantly related to
appearance satisfaction for women only. Body composition was not significantly related
to functional satisfaction for men or women. The results of the ANOVAs indicate that
women were more dissatisfied with their appearance than men. However, contrary to
hypothesis, appearance satisfaction did not differ between men or women who engaged in .
LTPA versus those who did not. For men and women, those who engaged in mild or
moderate intensity LTPA were less satisfied with their physical function than those who
did not. Further, participants who engaged in resistance-LTPA were less satisfied with
their physical function that those who did not.</p><p>Results are discussed within the framework of Cash's model. Findings suggest that
people who engage in LTPA are less satisfied with their bodies than people who do not.
This finding was surprising because LTPA has been shown to improve body image in the
SCI population (Hicks et al., 2003). However, dissatisfaction with physical appearance or
physical function may motivate individuals to engage in LTPA. The theoretical and
practical implications of the current thesis are discussed. Prospective research is
necessary to further understand the directionality of the relationship between the
constructs of Cash's (2002) model, and to test SCI-specific variables as potential
mediators and moderators of the relationship between LTPA and body image.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/21748 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Bassett, Rebecca |
| Contributors | Ginis, Kathleen, Kinesiology |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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