School of Medicine and Psychology, 39 University Avenue, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia.
School of Medicine and Psychology, 39 University Avenue, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia.
Body Image. 2024 Jun;49:101703. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101703. Epub 2024 Mar 18.
Few studies have investigated community knowledge and beliefs about negative body image. Yet, low rates of recognition and help-seeking for body image concerns have been reported. Given the prevalence of body image problems and associated mental health risks in women, the current online study investigated negative body image mental health literacy in 260 women aged 18 to 64 years recruited via Prolific. The mental health literacy paradigm was employed in a 2 × 2 experimental design in which the effect of a target's domain of body image concern (appearance versus body functionality) and weight status ("normal weight" versus "overweight") was assessed on problem recognition, beliefs, and help-seeking recommendations. Overall, low symptom recognition was observed, and ratings for beliefs and help-seeking suggested low levels of stigma. However, significantly greater sympathy and lifestyle support recommendations were observed in the overweight compared to normal weight condition, and a domain × weight interaction suggested significantly fewer negative emotional reactions in the appearance overweight condition compared to appearance normal weight, and functionality overweight, conditions. The findings suggest a need for education about body image independent of weight status in women. Future research would benefit from examining diverse samples, broader functionality concerns, and stigma.
很少有研究调查过社区对负面身体形象的了解和看法。然而，据报道，人们对身体形象问题的识别和寻求帮助的比率很低。鉴于女性中身体形象问题和相关心理健康风险的普遍存在，目前这项在线研究通过 Prolific 招募了 260 名年龄在 18 至 64 岁的女性，调查了她们在负面身体形象心理健康素养方面的情况。该研究采用了心理健康素养范式的 2×2 实验设计，评估了目标的身体形象关注点（外貌与身体功能）和体重状况（“正常体重”与“超重”）对问题识别、信念和寻求帮助建议的影响。总的来说，观察到低症状识别率，而对信念和寻求帮助的评价表明耻辱感较低。然而，与正常体重相比，超重条件下明显更多地提出了同情和生活方式支持建议，且外貌超重条件下的负面情绪反应明显少于外貌正常体重和功能超重条件。研究结果表明，需要针对女性进行独立于体重状况的身体形象教育。未来的研究将受益于对不同样本、更广泛的功能问题和耻辱感的研究。
