The relationship between social withdrawal and problematic social media use in Chinese college students: a chain mediation of alexithymia and negative body image.

This study explores the relationship between social withdrawal and problematic social media use among college students, with a focus on the mediating roles of alexithymia and negative body image. Using the University Student Social Withdrawal Questionnaire, Social Media Addiction Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and Negative Body Image Scale, 2582 college students (33.46% male, average age = 19.46 years, SD = 2.23) were surveyed. Social withdrawal, alexithymia, negative body image, and problematic social media use were significantly correlated with each other. Social withdrawal positively predicted problematic social media use, and both alexithymia and negative body image played a chain mediating role between social withdrawal and problematic social media use. The findings indicate that individual social withdrawal is associated with college students' problematic use of social media. The results suggest that alexithymia and negative body image may mediate this association, highlighting a potential pathway through which social withdrawal influences social media use patterns.

3D Reconstruction and Virtual Reality Is an Acceptable and Feasible Method for Addressing Body Image in Bariatric Metabolic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients living with obesity continue to experience body image dissatisfaction following bariatric metabolic surgery. The underlying reasons are poorly understood but may be due to unmet expectations. Negative body image perception following metabolic surgery leads to poorer psychological and clinical outcomes. This study aims to establish the acceptability and feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and virtual reality (VR) as a method of providing psychological support to bariatric patients to improve body image satisfaction and interventional outcomes. METHODS: Seven participants were recruited from the Imperial Weight Centre. 3D photographs were captured and processed to produce two 3D reconstructed images with 15% and 25% total weight loss. Participants were shown their images using VR and participated in peer group workshops. RESULTS: Six participants were retained until the end of the study. Five out of six participants agreed the images provided them with a more accurate representation of their body changes and overall appearance following bariatric metabolic surgery. All participants strongly agreed with the group setting and felt VR facilitated discussions on body image. Overall, all participants felt that the use of VR and 3D reconstruction is beneficial in supporting patients to adjust to changes in their body image after bariatric metabolic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to explore and demonstrate that 3D reconstruction and VR is an acceptable and feasible method providing patients with a realistic expectation of how their body will change following significant weight loss, potentially improving body image satisfaction after surgery, as well as psychological and interventional outcomes.

The psychological factors mediating/moderating the association between body-image disturbance and depression: A systematic review.

Available evidence demonstrates that individuals with body-image disturbance (BID) are prone to suffer from depression. This systematic review provides, to our knowledge, the first synthesis of the psychological mechanism of the association between BID and depression. We conducted a thorough search of online databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO, for articles published up until February 2024. The final analysis comprised a total of 23 studies that focused on the mediating or moderating effects of psychological factors between depression and BID. This review identifies self-esteem and social support as both mediators and moderators of the relationship between BID and depression, while perceived stress acted only as a mediator. High self-esteem and strong social support as well as low levels of perceived stress may help individuals experience lower levels of BID, thereby contributing to a decreased likelihood of depression. Interventions aimed at increasing self-esteem, developing strong support, and decreasing perceived stress may hold promise to reduce the risk of depression in those with BID.

Does Viewing Mirror-Reflected Body Image Affect Static and Dynamic Standing Balance?

In the present study, we examined the immediate effect of allowing healthy participants to view their mirror-reflected body image on static and dynamic balance. We placed a mirror to allow participants to frontally view their own body image while maintaining a quiet stance or while engaged in a dynamic postural standing task. On measures of body sway during quiet stance, there were no effects of this visual feedback, supporting the view that human beings have no central mechanism for viewing the mirror-reflected body image to control body sway during quiet stance. However, the body deviated forward during quiet stance while viewing the mirror-reflected body image, indicating that viewing the mirror-reflected body image contributed to the anterior-posterior positioning of the body, as mediated by an ankle control strategy. For the dynamic standing task, viewing the body image induced unstable peaks of rhythmic lateral shifting of the body weight over the feet. This indicates that viewing the body image caused unstable motor commands for rhythmic lateral weight shifting. When participants made a transition from a bipedal to a unipedal stance in response to a cue, viewing the body image shortened the onset latency of the body sway. Accordingly, viewing the body image seemed to accelerate the motor execution involved in lateral weight shifting, possibly due to predictive activation of the motor system before movement onset. Considered collectively, we found static and dynamic stance balance to be influenced by viewing one's mirror-reflected body image. Viewing the mirror-reflected body image may be a means of changing static and dynamic balance in patients with impaired postural control.

Exploration of parental consent for adolescent involvement in genital body image education research.

Genital body image is a highly understudied concept but is important for sexual health and broader body image satisfaction. Effective genital body image interventions for adolescents have been developed, however, parental consent can be a barrier to adolescent participation. The aim of this study was to conduct a novel exploration of parental consent for genital body image education research and factors related to this consent. Participants were 125 parents of adolescents in Australia who completed an online questionnaire including measures of demographic characteristics, personality traits and attitudes, and likelihood of consent for an adolescent son and daughter participating in hypothetical genital body image education research. The vast majority of parents indicated that they definitely would consent to their adolescent sons' and daughters' involvement in this hypothetical research. There was no significant difference in likelihood of consent based on the gender of the adolescent. Parents having more conservative attitudes towards sex was the only factor tested that reduced the likelihood of providing consent. Overall, our results suggest parents are generally supportive of adolescent involvement in genital body image education research. This concept should be included in broader body image educational programs so adolescents gain exposure to this important but neglected topic.

A Prospective Study on Activities of Daily Living, Comfort, Body Image, and Cardiac Symptoms in Coronary Artery Bypass Patients.

BACKGROUND: A coronary artery bypass graft procedure reduces mortality for cardiovascular patients, but those undergoing it often face negative body perception, loss of daily activities, and lingering symptoms, hindering full functional recovery and comfort. AIM: To compare the comfort level, activities of daily living, and body image based on certain characteristics of patients at baseline, (ii) Evaluate changes over time in levels of discomfort, activities of daily living, body image, and cardiac symptoms before and after CABG surgery within three months. METHOD: This descriptive prospective cohort study comprised 50 patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass surgery. The study examined cardiac symptoms, comfort levels, daily activities, and multidimensional body-self relationships as its outcomes. RESULTS: A Friedman test revealed that patients' body image, comfort levels, activities of daily living, and each heart symptom were significantly influenced by the time of day. According to this study, patients most frequently reported experiencing exhaustion, depression, and worry as cardiac symptoms. Only the comfort level exhibited a high correlation with each heart symptom, as indicated by Spearman's rho analysis. CONCLUSION: The body image, comfort level, activities of daily living, and cardiac symptoms of patients changed over time. Therefore, regular assessments of these symptoms during the pre- and post-operative periods could offer valuable insights into patients' needs. This information can be instrumental in developing interventions that address patients' well-being and may positively impact patient outcomes.

Female blind baseball players against gender discrimination: the "red diamonds" experience.

Background: Sport has the well-known power of improving body awareness, self-esteem, and social interaction, thus promoting quality of life and psychophysical wellbeing. Specifically referring to adapted disciplines, habitual practice often becomes an effective integration and self-efficacy booster. Among disabilities, visual impairment deeply alters body image perception, autonomy, and environmental/social interaction heavily reducing sport or leisure involvement opportunities. In particular, visually impaired women represent one of the most vulnerable categories to gender and disability discrimination. Moreover, even when congenitally sightless, they perceive social pressure of mainstream beauty ideals, mostly spread by media, comparable to their sighted peers. On these premises and the previously demonstrated psychophysical benefits of Italian blind baseball practice on this target population, the present study aimed to deepen the social and educative potentialities of such adapted sport applying a more sociological research approach. Methods: The "red diamonds" event, namely, the first ever female blind baseball match, was the setting for the administration of our structured online survey. In detail, our survey comprised different evaluation tools such as the 18-item Psychological Well-Being Scale, the 12-item Short Form questionnaire, the Dresden Body Image questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and sociological model designed questions. Quality of life, psychological wellbeing, self-esteem, body image, and perceived female sport psychological violence were investigated in the whole women sample (n = 33) voluntarily adhering to the game. Results: Survey results revealed no statistically significant differences between visually impaired players (n = 13; mean age: 32.84 ± 12.05 years) and sighted on-field subjects (i.e., coaches, assistants, and referees; n = 20; mean age: 47.15 ± 12.31 years) in almost all the inquired variables, thus remarking the social and functional benefits of adapted sport through the "dual embodiment" and empowerment phenomenon. Conclusions: Given that the event was inspired by and performed on the World Day against women violence, our study deepened not only the topic of disability discrimination but also the currently alarming gender-related one. In such a context, the present research might provide interesting cues for further investigations on disability and gender disparities in sports, hence spreading interest in this under-investigated field. In perspective, the "red diamonds" experience could also contribute to inspiring and progressively developing educative tools against any kind of discrimination by promoting integration and social growth through regular sports practice.

Associations between anthropometry, body composition, and body image in athletes: a systematic review.

Introduction: Poor body image is a potent risk factor for disordered eating and eating disorders. Athletes are a population at increased risk for eating disorders despite reports of lower body image concerns compared to non-athletes. Body size and composition may influence an athlete's susceptibility to poor body image. Methods: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus) were searched to systematically evaluate the literature regarding the association between body measures (i.e., anthropometric and body composition indicators) and body image in athletes. The systematic review was completed following PRISMA guidelines and 27 cross-sectional studies were identified for inclusion and evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies. Results: Studies differed in methodological assessment of anthropometry or body composition (i.e., self-reported versus researcher-measured), methods for evaluating aspects of body image, geographic location, and sport type. Higher body mass index (BMI) or percent body fat (%BF) was significantly associated with greater body dissatisfaction in 16 of 22 studies (72.7%). Positive associations between body measures and aspects of negative body image were most consistently observed among studies that assessed BMI based on self-reported heights and weights, while significant associations between body composition measures (e.g., %BF, fat mass, fat-free mass) were less common. Four of seven studies assessing relationships between BMI and an aspect of positive body image reported significant inverse relationships, while three revealed insignificant associations. Discussion: Overall, higher BMI and body fat were associated with body dissatisfaction among athletes. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings within focused populations and utilizing body composition methods (e.g., bioelectrical impedance techniques). Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, CRD42023446518.

Relationships between body image, dyadic coping and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of cancer triggers not only a negative psychological response for the patient, but also a positive psychological outcome. Positive dyadic coping, as a form of coping for mental health outcomes, can maintain or reestablish internal stability between the patient and his or her spouse, resulting in positive physical and psychological changes. However, there is a paucity of research on body image, dyadic coping, and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship and pathways between body image, dyadic coping, and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to November 2023 at a tertiary care hospital in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China. This study was conducted among 154 breast cancer patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, all of whom completed demographic and clinical information questionnaires, Body image self-rating questionnaire for breast cancer (BISQ-BC), Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI) and Post Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). A Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between body image, dyadic coping, and post-traumatic growth. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the path relationships among the three and to explore the mediating role of dyadic coping. Results: The level of body image was negatively correlated with post-traumatic growth (r = -0.462, p < 0.01); and the level of body image was negatively correlated with dyadic coping (r = -0.308, p < 0.01). And dyadic coping was positively associated with post-traumatic growth (r = 0.464, p < 0.01). The structural equation modeling results supported the mediation model with the following model fit indices, chi-square to degrees of freedom ratio (χ2/df = 2.05), goodness of fit index (GFI = 0.93), comparative fit index (CFI = 0.99), canonical fit index (NFI = 0.93), incremental fit index (IFI = 0.99), non-canonical fit index (TLI = 0.99) and the root mean square of the difference in approximation error (RMSEA = 0.03). Body image and dyadic coping directly affected post-traumatic growth (ß = -0.33, p < 0.05; ß = 0.43, p < 0.05). And body image indirectly influenced post-traumatic growth through dyadic coping (ß = -0.17, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Interconnections between body image, dyadic coping, and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients. A preliminary validation of the mediating role of dyadic coping between body image and post-traumatic growth, body image can have an impact on dyadic coping, which in turn can have an impact on post-traumatic growth. Whereby higher levels of dyadic coping in patients may also be associated with higher levels of post-traumatic growth, whereas body image disturbance may impede levels of post-traumatic growth.

'My sexual desires, everything, my normal life just stops'; a qualitative study of male sexual health in inflammatory bowel disease.

AIM: To describe and interpret the sexual health experiences of men with IBD. DESIGN: Interpretive qualitative study. METHODS: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 men with a diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using constant comparative, thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were identified from interview data: (1) the disease shapes intimate connections, (2) the disease thwarts sexual experiences and (3) the disease disrupts male gender norms. Men reported that active disease lowered libido and could change pre-, inter- and post-coital sexual practices. All participants noted that health professionals did not initiate the discussion of sexual health and well-being needs in the outpatient hospital setting. Men who engaged in receptive anal sex reported a lack of disease-specific guidance and understanding from professionals. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory bowel disease can negatively impact the sexual well-being, gender identity and activities of men. Further research is required to identify the care preferences of men with IBD and clarify the barriers and facilitators to sexual health assessment so that nurses may better support the health needs of this population. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND PATIENT CARE: This study highlights the need for sexual health and well-being support that is specific to disease and gender in IBD. There is a paucity of information and guidance for men with peri-anal disease and proctitis who engage in receptive anal sex, which requires urgent attention. REPORTING METHOD: Reporting follows the COREQ checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: A patient and public involvement group informed the development of the study design. The group reviewed public facing documents and interview guides. One member of the group provided comments on the identified themes.

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Pregnancy and Weight Gain Attitude Scale.

This study aimed to develop the Japanese version of the Pregnancy and Weight Gain Attitude Scale (J-PWGAS) as a measurement of body image regarding body weight and shape during pregnancy. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a perinatal medical center in Osaka, Japan, between March and November 2020. We recruited pregnant women in their second or third trimester, who were 20 years old or older and without pregnancy complications. This study evaluated the criterion validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Of the participants, 218 and 102 women participated in the validation and test-retest reliability studies, respectively. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a 17-item, five-factor structure. The J-PWGAS indicated acceptable criterion validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. The J-PWGAS can measure attitudes toward gestational weight gain in Japanese pregnant women and would be useful in examining the association of body image with weight gain and psychological status during pregnancy.

Body Image Concerns in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Patients within Six Months of Upfront Diagnosis.

This cross-sectional study described prevalent body image (BI) concerns among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with neoplasms who received treatment at a quaternary care children's hospital. Thirty-two AYAs, aged 15-39 years, completed questionnaires assessing BI within six months of diagnosis. The most frequently endorsed questionnaire items included the following: desire for increased physical fitness (62.5%), self-consciousness about hair (45.2%), weight dissatisfaction (40.6%), lack of strength (37.5%), wearing loose clothing to hide one's body (37.5%), decreased agility (34.4%), shape dissatisfaction (32.2%), and self-perception of too much body fat (31.3%). Awareness of AYA BI concerns during treatment may generate early intervention targeting this complex issue.

Being a good boy: pup play, body image, and the self for gay, bi, trans, and queer men.

Puppy play is a kink activity, in which people dress as, take on the role of, and mimic the physical and emotional behaviours of young canines or pups. We explore how the pup identity, depicted in cellphilms by queer men who are part of the pup community, influences men's body image perceptions using multimodal critical discourse analysis. Participants expressed feelings of dissonance, shame, and self-rejection when viewing themselves as humans, but conveyed excitement, pleasure, and self-celebration when viewing themselves as pups. Participants depicted their body images being transformed by way of puppy gear, puppy spaces, handlers, and playmates, which was said to foster more (self-)acceptance, playfulness, and freedom. This study highlights the potential for puppy play to provide a transformative experience for individuals, allowing participants to explore, re-signify, and embrace their bodies as pups.

Association of Body Image Distortion with Smartphone Dependency and Usage Time in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Korean Youth Study.

Background: Adolescent dependency on smartphones is the highest among all age groups. Adolescents can be influenced to evaluate their body image by popular ideals about beautiful bodies via smartphone content, which can cause body image distortion. This study aimed to examine the association between body image distortion and smartphone dependency and the duration of smartphone usage among Korean adolescents. Methods: This study used data from the 16th Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey (2020), and included 42,981 participants, who were grouped according to self-reported duration of smartphone usage and smartphone dependency, as measured by a questionnaire. Body image distortion is defined as an exaggerated subjective body image compared to the actual body image. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of body image distortion on smartphone dependency and usage time after adjusting for various factors related to body image distortion. Results: Among the 42,981 participants, both moderate and high levels of smartphone dependency were associated with body image distortion in boys (moderate: adjusted OR [aOR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22; high: aOR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05-1.32) and girls (moderate: aOR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.23; high: aOR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.18-1.42) compared to the low-level dependency group. However, no significant association was found between smartphone usage duration and body image distortion. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that moderate to high levels of smartphone dependency are associated with body image distortion in adolescents. Therefore, it is necessary to establish strategies for checking and managing adolescents' smartphone dependence.

Social and Mental Health Factors Associated with Sexual Satisfaction Among Older Gay Men.

The internalization of ageist stereotypes or messages based on the framework of an aging gay man is known as internalized gay ageism. Internalized gay ageism may influence an older gay man's sexual satisfaction. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between internalized gay ageism and sexual satisfaction and determine if body image was a potential mediator. A cross-sectional online survey collected data on sexual satisfaction and other variables related to sexual health and well-being among older gay men. Inclusion criteria included: aged 50 or older, identified as gay, identified as male, assigned male at birth, and resided in the Midwestern region of the United States. Descriptive, bivariate, and mediation analyses were conducted. A complete mediation effect was found between internalized gay ageism and sexual satisfaction when mediated by body image. Older gay men who were in open relationships were more sexually satisfied than single/widowed older gay men. Future research should continue to explore internalized gay ageism, relationship status, body image, and sexual satisfaction among older gay men.

Exploring the moderating roles of dispositional mindfulness and body image flexibility in the association between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in Chinese adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Previous research suggests potential moderating roles of dispositional mindfulness and body image flexibility in the association between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. However, relevant research is mainly conducted on adult women from Western countries, and limited evidence exists for adolescent samples, especially from non-Western contexts (e.g., China). Thus, this study aimed to examine the moderating roles of dispositional mindfulness and body image flexibility in the relationship between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in Chinese adolescents. METHOD: We recruited 545 Chinese adolescents (53.9% boys, aged 12-16 years) who completed measures of body dissatisfaction, dispositional mindfulness, body image flexibility, and disordered eating. Moderation analyses were examined with PROCESS macro on SPSS. RESULTS: In separate models, both higher dispositional mindfulness and body image flexibility weakened relationships between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. However, when both dispositional mindfulness and body image flexibility were entered into the same moderation model, only body image flexibility showed a significant moderating effect. DISCUSSION: Both dispositional mindfulness and body image flexibility may weaken the association between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in adolescents. However, body image flexibility might have a stronger effect than dispositional mindfulness. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing body dissatisfaction to prevent disordered eating in adolescents may pay more attention to adolescents' body image flexibility.

Nature, urban, or treadmill: How walking environment impacts state body satisfaction and appreciation and the role of body sanctification.

This study examined the effects of walking environments on state body satisfaction and state body appreciation and the potential moderating role of body sanctification. Participants included 189 undergraduates from a private Christian University in the Southwestern US, randomly assigned to walk for 20-minutes in a natural, outdoors built, or indoors built environment. Participants completed measures of state body satisfaction and state body appreciation prior to and immediately following the walk. Those who walked in nature experienced increased state body satisfaction but not state body appreciation compared to those who walked in an indoor built environment. Theistic sanctification of the body was associated with greater state body appreciation and moderated the relationship between walking location and body appreciation. Participants who sanctified their bodies to a greater extent experienced increases in body appreciation when walking in a natural environment compared to an indoor built environment relative to those who were lower in body sanctification. Nontheistic sanctification of the body was associated with higher state body satisfaction and state body appreciation but did not moderate links between walking location and these outcomes. Overall, walking in nature is beneficial to body satisfaction and theistic sanctification of the body may bolster these effects.

Differences in the impacts of muscle dysmorphia symptoms on distress between heterosexual women and homo/bisexual women.

Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) and its psychological impacts on women, especially within sexual minorities, are still relatively understudied. The objective of this study was to compare the relationship of MD symptoms and psychological distress between heterosexual women and lesbian/bisexual women. Our sample consisted of 479 Brazilian cisgender women from the community, aged between 18 and 70 years (M = 32.78; SD = 10.45). Among them, 327 (68.27 %) identified as heterosexual, 134 (27.98 %) as bisexual, and 18 (3.76 %) as lesbian. To ensure there was no bias due to measurement error, the psychometric properties of the instruments in the sample were tested, and invariance between the groups was assessed. t-tests, structural equation modeling, and latent profile analyses were conducted to comprehend the differences between the groups. The results indicated significant differences and a greater severity of MD symptoms and distress for lesbian/bisexual women. The implications of these results are discussed, emphasizing the need for further exploration of MD studies within sexual minorities.

Body awareness disturbances in patients with low back pain: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The pain-neuroscience literature has recently emphasized body perception or awareness. Impaired body perception results have been reported in many different chronic pain problems. Studies have reported that individuals with low back pain (LBP) also have body perception disturbances related to the lumbar spine. OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to determine the evidence that body awareness alterations in individuals with LBP. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHOD: Studies were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Pedro databases up to January 2021. Each database was searched independently, according to a specific iteration research string. The protocol record of the systematic review was entered into the PROSPERO system. RESULTS: Nine studies were included in this research. We found evidence to support more perceptual impairments in patients with LBP than healthy counterparts. In addition, the results of the studies showed an association between disrupted body awareness and pain severity, pain catastrophizing, and disability. CONCLUSIONS: Body perception disturbances in LBP seem to be a promising path that needs to be further explored, with the ultimate goal of developing treatment contents targeting body awareness as a more comprehensive and valid evaluation and therapeutic method. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The registration number was CRD42021235934.

Out of the loop: Taking a one-week break from social media leads to better self-esteem and body image among young women.

This study experimentally tested the effects of taking a one-week break from social media (SM) on body image and self-esteem among young women. Female undergraduate students (N = 66) were randomly assigned to either take a one-week break from SM or continue their normal use (control condition). State self-esteem and body satisfaction were measured at baseline (Time 1) and one week later (Time 2). As predicted, participants in the break condition reported higher body satisfaction and higher state self-esteem (total, performance, social, and appearance domains) at Time 2 than did those in the control condition, controlling for Time 1 scores. The benefits of taking a break from SM on body satisfaction were especially pronounced for women with higher baseline levels of thin-ideal internalization. The findings demonstrate the short-term benefits of taking a break from SM for one week on self-esteem and body image among young women.