Self-imagery in individuals with high body dissatisfaction: the effect of positive and negative self-imagery on aspects of the self-concept.
J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry
; 46: 8-13, 2015 Mar.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25164092
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Cognitive behavioural models of eating disorders highlight low self-esteem as a maintaining factor. This study explored the impact of positive and negative self-imagery on aspects of the working self (implicit and explicit self-esteem and self-concept clarity) in individuals with high body dissatisfaction (an important aspect of eating disorders). The impact of these images on state body satisfaction and affect was also explored.METHOD:
A group of participants with high body dissatisfaction completed measures of explicit self-esteem, self-concept clarity, state body satisfaction and affect prior to completing a negative (n = 33) or positive (n = 33) self-imagery retrieval task. Following this they completed the baseline measures and a measure of implicit self-esteem.RESULTS:
Holding a negative self-image in mind had a negative effect on explicit self-esteem, whilst holding a positive self-image had a beneficial effect. There were no effects of imagery on implicit self-esteem. Holding a negative image in mind led to a significant reduction in self-concept clarity; however, positive self-imagery did not affect self-concept clarity. Holding a negative self-image in mind led to a decrease in body satisfaction and state affect. The opposite was found for the positive self-imagery group.LIMITATIONS:
Implicit self-esteem was not measured at baseline.CONCLUSIONS:
Imagery techniques which promote positive self-images may help improve aspects of the working self, body satisfaction and affect in individuals with high levels of body dissatisfaction. As such, these imagery techniques warrant further investigation in a clinical population.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Satisfacción Personal
/
Autoimagen
/
Imagen Corporal
/
Autoinforme
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry
Año:
2015
Tipo del documento:
Article