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Previous studies have shown that cosmetic procedures and products that perpetuate Western hegemonic beauty standards among women have become increasingly popular, and pressures from sociocultural agents to utilize them are significant. However, little work has documented the relationship between perceived sociocultural pressures and use of cosmetic procedures and products among a larger age range of adult women. A community sample of 308 women aged 18–66, mean (SD) age of 35.7 (9.7), reported on the cosmetic procedures they had considered or used, as well as perceived pressures from the media, peers, romantic partners, and health and beauty professionals. Findings revealed that, among those investigated, the most frequently utilized products and procedures were supplements and hair removal. However, a significant minority reported considering more invasive procedures, including cosmetic surgery. Media was the predominant source of pressure, while partners were the least frequently endorsed. While pressure from professionals and peers had small-to-moderate associations with utilization of cosmetic products and procedures, pressure from partners had the largest association with their use. This work frames important future directions for examining the impact of sociocultural pressures on women's willingness to utilize cosmetic products and procedures that are sometimes underregulated and risky for physical and mental health. • Women reported social pressures to engage with cosmetic products and procedures. • The strongest pressures were from the media. • Although weaker, pressure from partners had the largest association with engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study examined the selection of ideal body size in adult women. • Body ideals can change depending on the size of bodies women are exposed to. • When exposed to more large body types, women idealise an underweight body less. • Ideal body size perceptions change rapidly, immediately following exposure to available reference bodies. The body positivity movement—celebrating bodies beyond the thin ideal—has gained traction on social media. In an online study of North American women, we aimed to determine how ideal body perceptions shift based on the presentation of more diverse body types. In Study 1, women (n = 115, aged 19–75) responded to arrays of bodies ranging from primarily small to primarily large bodies, selecting the body closest to their ideal body. Results showed that the BMI of the ideal body increased as the body sizes in the array increased. Participants were also less likely to select an underweight ideal when viewing larger bodies. In Study 2, women responded to arrays with either primarily small (n = 132, aged 20–68) or primarily large (n = 130, aged 20–75) bodies. Results suggested that ideal body perceptions only shifted around current societal standards, and not to extremes. The participants presented with the larger-bodied arrays were more likely to select a normal weight ideal body than those who saw the smaller-bodied arrays. Results suggest ideal body size is malleable, and shifting toward a more diverse perception of the ideal body is achievable with increased exposure beyond the thin ideal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sociocultural pressures to pursue unrealistic appearance expectations and control body shape and weight during pregnancy and postpartum periods have been increasing. Little is known about messages from different sources that may constitute unhelpful or protective influences. The aim of this study was to qualitatively examine messages women received from the sociocultural environment during pregnancy and postpartum and their association with experiences of living in their bodies and body change behaviors. Twenty women, mean age (SD) = 31.85, (2.3) years, 95% White, 60% with a Master's degree or higher, participated in individual interviews and completed online surveys. Women described appearance pressure from multiple sources during and after pregnancy, that increased their concerns related to their weight and shape. For a small number, these concerns were associated with efforts to control weight. Others described protective influences from friends and family that promoted body attunement, functionality appreciation, and positive body image. Findings highlight the importance of sociocultural influences during the peripregnancy period yet how many women derive elements of positive body image from this period. These findings have implications for interventions to support body image among women during the peripregnancy period and positive outcomes among mothers and infants. • Women described multiple appearance pressure associated with body image concerns. • For a small number, these concerns were associated with efforts to control weight. • Some protective influences from friends and family may promote positive body image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dr. Cash pioneered work in the area of beliefs and stereotypes related to attractiveness. • His work extended to examining their impact and consequences, and their transmission. • His insights launched a now robust area of research. • Gaps in our understanding still exist related to minority groups and aspects beyond shape and weight. Dr. Thomas Cash conducted seminal work on the beliefs and stereotypes related to attractiveness as well as their impact, and their transmission through cultural and interpersonal processes. This initial work has inspired and given rise to an important body of research significantly increasing our understanding of these processes. Here we review the initial contributions and research directions set up by Dr. Cash, as well as the main findings of the research that has built on his foundations. Specifically, we review findings related to the existence of attractiveness stereotypes and appearance ideals, research examining the social and interpersonal impacts of such stereotypes, and finally the sociocultural transmission of these beliefs. Future directions related to the extension of our understanding to appearance characteristics beyond shape and weight, as well as increased focus on minority identities and their intersection, are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review examines body dissatisfaction and the influence of sociocultural messages related to body image among preschool children. The review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and 16 studies were included in the final analysis. Findings suggest that children under the age of 6 years old experience body dissatisfaction, however, the proportion of children who are dissatisfied varied from around 20% to 70%, depending on the method of assessment. The literature was divided on whether preschool aged girls experience more body dissatisfaction than boys. Parental influence appears to be an important factor in the development of preschool children's body dissatisfaction and attitudes. However, more research is needed to understand the influences of children's peers and the media. The need for more sensitive measures of body dissatisfaction and prevention programs for preschool children is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4), a measure of internalization of societal appearance ideals, in French men and women. French college students completed a translation of the 22-item SATAQ-4 and measures of body image and eating concerns. Exploratory analyses among women ( N = 207) indicated a 20-item scale with the original five factors: Internalization: Thin/Low Body Fat, Internalization: Muscular/Athletic, Pressures: Family, Pressures: Media, Pressures: Peers. This structure was confirmed among a second sample of women ( N = 227). The SATAQ-4 scores revealed excellent reliability and convergent validity with body image and eating concern scores. A slightly modified factor structure emerged in men, with excellent reliability. Among men, the SATAQ-4 subscales were consistently associated with eating, and shape and weight concerns, although less consistently with general measures of body image. The French SATAQ-4 is a useful measure of internalization of appearance ideals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to examine the influence of media and peers on attitudes towards cosmetic surgery using a sociocultural framework. A sample of 351 Australian women aged 18–69 years completed measures of media exposure, friend conversations, internalisation of appearance ideals, appearance comparison, body dissatisfaction, and attitudes towards cosmetic surgery. Correlational analysis showed that almost all media and friend variables were significantly correlated with positive attitudes towards cosmetic surgery. A structural equation model based on the sociocultural model showed a good level of fit to the data. The effects of media exposure and friend conversations on body dissatisfaction and attitudes towards cosmetic surgery were mediated by internalisation. We concluded that media exposure and friend conversations affected attitudes towards cosmetic surgery both directly and indirectly. Our results contribute to the understanding of the sociocultural mechanisms underlying women's motivations for cosmetic surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] This review compares body image among collegiate female athletes to non-athletes. [•] More versus less competitive athletes might be at greater risk for BIC. [•] Athletes in feminine sports report at least similar levels of BIC as non-athletes. [•] Athletes in endurance sports appear to have better body image than non-athletes. [•] Research among athletes on how BIC is related to sexual objectification is lacking. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to replicate and extend previous research by examining the moderating effects of self-esteem, physical self-concept, physical appearance comparisons, BMI, pubertal status, and cardiorespiratory fitness, on the internalization–body dissatisfaction relationship in middle school girls. Hierarchical multiple regression (HMR) was used to examine direct and moderating effects of these variables. Internalization was related directly and significantly to body dissatisfaction, as were the proposed moderators (i.e., self-esteem, physical self-concept, physical appearance comparisons, BMI, pubertal status, and cardiorespiratory fitness); however, these variables failed to significantly influence the internalization–body dissatisfaction relationship. Possible explanations for the lack of moderating effects and directions for future research are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The pursuit of muscularity is an important body image concern among boys which has been described within sociocultural models of risk for eating disorders. This study explored a sociocultural model of disordered eating in which drive for thinness and pursuit of muscularity were both pathways to disordered eating among French adolescent boys. A sample of 146 adolescents completed a questionnaire assessing drive for thinness, drive for muscularity, media-ideal internalization, appearance comparison, and sociocultural pressure. The model was a good fit to the data and both drive for thinness and the pursuit of muscularity were related to disordered eating. Furthermore, internalization and appearance comparison mediated the relationships between pressure to increase muscle and both drive for muscularity and drive for thinness. Longitudinal research could help clarify the role of the pursuit of muscularity in the development of disordered eating and extreme body shape changing behaviors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A widely used measure of societal influences on body image and eating disturbances—the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ) was validated in women with eating disorders. The original SATAQ and measures of convergence and divergence were administered to 165 eating disordered inpatients. Factor analyses were conducted to determine the underlying structure of the SATAQ. Convergent validity, diagnostic category norms and the predictive utility of the revised SATAQ were examined. Factor analyses indicated three factors: Internalization, Awareness, and Success. Internalization significantly predicted treatment success after controlling for admission BMI and drive for thinness. The revised SATAQ-ED measures multiple aspects of societal influence, predicts short-term outcome, and can be a useful tool for evaluating potential outcome and treatment efficacy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The current study used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to investigate the factor structure of a revised version of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ-3) with a sample of undergraduate males. In addition to completing the SATAQ-3, participants completed various measures pertaining to body image, behavioral, and psychological constructs to examine concurrent and discriminant validity. CFA results indicated that the four factors of the SATAQ-3, Information, Pressures, Internalization-General, and Internalization-Athlete, represented the data well and better than an alternative 3-factor structure that combined the two Internalization subscales. All four factors demonstrated excellent concurrent and discriminant validity. Findings from this study support use of a slightly modified version of the SATAQ-3 with males. The present results also support the continued investigation of media influences as multidimensional constructs important to male body image. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]