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Merino M, Tornero-Aguilera JF, Rubio-Zarapuz A, Villanueva-Tobaldo CV, Martín-Rodríguez A, Clemente-Suárez VJ. Body Perceptions and Psychological Well-Being: A Review of the Impact of Social Media and Physical Measurements on Self-Esteem and Mental Health with a Focus on Body Image Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1396. [PMID: 39057539 PMCID: PMC11276240 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12141396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This narrative review examines the interplay among body image perceptions, social media influence, physical measurements, and their impact on psychological well-being, focusing on the roles of cultural and gender differences and the need to understand the research methodologies employed in this field. In the age of digital proliferation, platforms like Instagram and Facebook have reshaped body image concerns, often leading to increased dissatisfaction and psychological distress due to constant exposure to idealized images and a culture of social comparison. Physical attributes such as weight, height, and BMI are scrutinized under societal standards of health and attractiveness, contributing to a spectrum of mental health issues including low self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders. This examination reveals how cultural norms and gender expectations further complicate body image perceptions, affecting individuals differently based on societal and personal ideals. It synthesizes current research and types of methods to illuminate how these factors together influence mental health and self-esteem, advocating for comprehensive interventions and policy measures aimed at mitigating body dissatisfaction and promoting a healthier, more inclusive understanding of body image. By delving into the complexities of body image satisfaction and its psychological implications, this review highlights the necessity of addressing these concerns within public health and social policy frameworks, underscoring the importance of a multifaceted approach to enhance individual and societal well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Merino
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (J.F.T.-A.); (A.M.-R.)
| | | | - Alejandro Rubio-Zarapuz
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (J.F.T.-A.); (A.M.-R.)
| | | | - Alexandra Martín-Rodríguez
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (J.F.T.-A.); (A.M.-R.)
| | - Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (J.F.T.-A.); (A.M.-R.)
- Grupo de Investigación en Cultura, Educación y Sociedad, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
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Calvi C, Sherman KA, Pham D. Loneliness and Perceived Social Support in Endometriosis: The Roles of Body Image Disturbance and Anticipated Stigma. Int J Behav Med 2024; 31:433-444. [PMID: 37884852 PMCID: PMC11106211 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-023-10230-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research has identified that living with the chronic inflammatory disease endometriosis adversely impacts social functioning and interpersonal relationships, specifically, feelings of loneliness and a lack of perceived social support. Commonly experienced body image disturbance (BID), combined with the anticipation of endometriosis-related stigma from others, may result in further social withdrawal. This study aimed to quantitatively investigate the association between BID and social functioning (loneliness and diminished perceived social support), and the potential moderating effect of anticipated stigma on these associations. METHOD Participants (N = 212) with a self-reported endometriosis diagnosis completed an online questionnaire measuring social and emotional loneliness, perceived social support, BID, anticipated stigma and demographic and medical characteristics. RESULTS Mean scores indicated high levels of BID, emotional loneliness and diminished perceived social support. Bootstrapped multivariable regression analyses indicated that BID was significantly associated with greater emotional loneliness and lower perceived social support. BID was also associated bivariately with greater social loneliness. Anticipated stigma from healthcare workers moderated the association of BID with perceived social support, such that poorer perceived support was reported when anticipated stigma was high, despite the presence of minimal BID. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the psychological challenges of living with endometriosis in terms of highly prevalent BID, in the context of feeling lonely and poorly supported. The further negative impact of anticipated stigma suggests that psychosocial interventions may benefit from additionally targeting these perceptions of stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Calvi
- Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, Macquarie University, 16 University Avenue, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kerry A Sherman
- Lifespan Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, Macquarie University, 16 University Avenue, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
- Smart Green Cities Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Dione Pham
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Lin J, Zheng L, Zhang J, Zhang L, Zeng Y, Liu Y, Xiao L. Factors Associated With Loneliness Among Chinese Patients With Cancer: A Cross-sectional Study. West J Nurs Res 2024; 46:36-43. [PMID: 37981731 DOI: 10.1177/01939459231214604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loneliness has a significant impact on the physical and psychological well-being of patients with cancer. However, the specific factors contributing to loneliness among patients with cancer within the context of Chinese culture remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with loneliness among patients with cancer in China. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling, involving a sample of 205 patients with cancer from a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China. Participants completed several validated questionnaires, including the Cancer Loneliness Scale (CLS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Cancer-Related Negative Social Expectations Scale (C-rNSES), and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis was employed to explore the relationships between loneliness and psychosocial factors. RESULTS The median score for loneliness among patients with cancer was 13, with an interquartile range of 8. The multiple linear stepwise regression analysis revealed that negative social expectations, social support, and depression were significantly associated with loneliness in this population. Collectively, these factors accounted for 50.1% (R2 = .501) of the variance in loneliness. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study highlight the importance of addressing negative social expectations and depression and improving social support to prevent or reduce loneliness among patients with cancer. Health care providers should consider these factors when developing interventions aimed at preventing or alleviating loneliness in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Lin
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Zheng
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yinghua Zeng
- Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yawei Liu
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Xiao
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Lin Y, Xu N, Zhang B. Body image and hopelessness in older adults: The intervening roles of aging self-stereotypes and marital status. Psych J 2023; 12:727-734. [PMID: 37454695 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the current study was to examine the association between body image and hopelessness as well as the roles of aging self-stereotypes and marital status in this association in older adults. There were 821 older adults who participated in the present study and completed questionaries about body image, aging self-stereotypes, hopelessness, demographic information (age and sex), marital status, and health status. The results showed that body image was associated with hopelessness in older adults, and aging self-stereotypes mediated the link between body image and hopelessness. Moderated analyses further indicated that the path from body image to aging self-stereotypes was stronger for single older adults than for those who were married. The results emphasize that older adults' dissatisfaction with their body image can enhance negative aging self-stereotypes, which then result in more severe hopelessness. Marital relationships can alleviate the negative effect of body image on aging self-stereotypes in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lin
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Nawei Xu
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Baoshan Zhang
- School of Education, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
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Liu H, Copeland M, Nowak G, Chopik WJ, Oh J. Marital Status Differences in Loneliness Among Older Americans During the COVID-19 Pandemic. POPULATION RESEARCH AND POLICY REVIEW 2023; 42:74. [PMID: 38264508 PMCID: PMC10805368 DOI: 10.1007/s11113-023-09822-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Guided by the social integration perspective, we conducted one of the first population-based studies on marital status differences in loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic among older Americans. Analysis of data from the 2020 National Health and Aging Trends Study COVID-19 supplement (n = 2861) suggested that, compared to their married counterparts, divorced and widowed older adults reported higher levels of loneliness during the pandemic, and divorced older adults also felt lonely more often when compared to before the pandemic. These marital status differences in pandemic loneliness cannot be explained by changes in social participation (e.g., working for pay, volunteering, attending religious services, or attending clubs, classes, or other organized activities) or changes in contact frequency with family and friends (via phone calls, emails/texts/social media messages, video calls, or in-person visits). No gender difference was found in the association between marital status and loneliness during the pandemic. These results, coupled with the growth of the unmarried older population, highlight that policymakers, health care providers, and researchers should think creatively about ways to reduce the loneliness gap between married and unmarried groups to promote healthy aging for all older adults, particularly in the face of emerging pandemics that may complicate strategies to improve population health in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Center on Aging and the Life Course and Department of Sociology, Purdue University, MSEE Room 308B, 501 Northwestern Avenue, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Molly Copeland
- Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, 509 E. Circle Drive, 317 Berkey Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Gerald Nowak
- Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, 509 E. Circle Drive, 317 Berkey Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - William J. Chopik
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 316 Physics Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Jeewon Oh
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, 430 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
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Willemse H, Geenen R, Egberts MR, Engelhard IM, Van Loey NE. Perceived stigmatization and fear of negative evaluation: Two distinct pathways to body image dissatisfaction and self-esteem in burn survivors. Psychol Health 2023; 38:445-458. [PMID: 34436936 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2021.1970160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Scars resulting from burn injury can pose social and psychological problems that may affect body image and self-esteem. This study aimed to investigate whether burn severity, age and female gender are associated with body image dissatisfaction and self-esteem, through an association with perceived stigmatization and fear or negative evaluation. DESIGN & MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Burn survivors (N = 224) completed the Fear of Negative Evaluation scale (FNE) and the Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire (PSQ) at 3 months post-burn, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (RSE) and the Satisfaction with Appearance scale (SWAP) at 6 months post-burn. Path analysis was used to test the relationships. RESULTS Body image dissatisfaction and self-esteem were moderately associated. Burn severity was directly and indirectly associated with body image dissatisfaction through perceived stigmatization. Female gender and age were indirectly associated with body image dissatisfaction though fear of negative evaluation. Age was indirectly associated with both perceived stigmatization and fear of negative evaluation. Perceived stigmatization and fear of negative evaluation were associated with self-esteem through body image dissatisfaction, the first indirectly and the latter both directly and indirectly. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight that both burn-specific factors and psychological vulnerability should be taken into account to deal with social challenges that may affect body image and self-esteem after burns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Willemse
- Department of Behavioural Research, Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Beverwijk, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rinie Geenen
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marthe R Egberts
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Iris M Engelhard
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nancy E Van Loey
- Department of Behavioural Research, Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Beverwijk, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Healthcare Professionals' Perceptions of Loneliness amongst Older Adults: A Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182212071. [PMID: 34831824 PMCID: PMC8625378 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loneliness amongst older adults is linked to poor health outcomes and constitutes a public health issue worldwide. Healthcare professionals' perceptions could influence the strategies they implement in order to prevent, detect and manage loneliness amongst older adults. The aim of this study was to describe and understand healthcare professionals' perceptions of loneliness amongst older adults. METHODS A descriptive qualitative study. Twenty-six Spanish healthcare professionals with experience caring for older adults participated in the study. Data were collected between November 2019 and September 2020 using focus groups and in-depth interviews. Data were analysed following a content analysis method using ATLAS.ti software. RESULTS Healthcare professionals' perceptions of loneliness amongst older adults is represented by three themes: (1) "when one's personal life and social context lead to loneliness"; (2) "from abandonment to personal growth: the two faces of loneliness"; and (3) "loneliness as a health issue that needs to be addressed". CONCLUSIONS Healthcare professionals perceive loneliness as a multifactorial, subjective experience that can trigger different coping mechanisms and negatively affect older people's health. Healthcare professionals consider that a greater involvement of the whole society is needed in order to fight loneliness amongst older adults as a public health issue.
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