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Based on the life course perspective, this study used a mixed method approach to (1) arrive at a deeper understanding of body image in each of three adult life stages among older white women living in a Midwest state of the United States of America, (2) investigate how these women's body images have changed during aging, and (3) identify major life transitions affecting women's body image throughout the adult life span. This study used retrospective, self-reported data. Both open-ended and scale ratings questions were incorporated into the paper-based survey questionnaire. Older white women ( n = 102) aged 65 to 94 years completed a survey questionnaire. Written responses to seven open-ended questions assessing the older women's past and current body images were analyzed, and 14 themes emerged. A quantitative scale of body satisfaction with five body attributes was included to provide a validity check with written responses. The women's body images significantly changed across the adult life span, reflecting different body concerns and evaluations at each life stage. This study revealed contrasting results to previous cross-generational comparisons which concluded that women's perceived level of body satisfaction remains stable through life. Many of the women expressed some degree of positive body image at all stages but became less satisfied with several aspects of their bodies as they aged, including aging appearance, decline in physical function, and several health problems. The study provided a general picture of white women's body image development throughout the adult life span.

This retrospective study examined developmental trajectories of women's body image perceptions throughout the adult life span from life course and self-discrepancy theory perspectives. Data were collected from women over 65 years of age, recruited from 15 senior communities and centers in a Midwest U.S. state in 2012. A total of 102 older women completed a survey about their past and current body image perceptions. To examine developmental trajectories of the repeated body image measures, a latent growth modeling analysis was adopted. Distinct and significant trajectories in each body image measure during the entire adult life course were found, confirming that a retrospective account of women's body image perceptions significantly change with age. The individual differences in the trajectories over time and the relationship between an individual's initial mean level and the rate of change on each variable were also examined. The findings advanced understanding of the retrospective age effects on women's body image throughout the adult life span.

This study examined how older husbands and wives perceived their bodies and appearance in the framework of coorientation effect. Data were collected via a mail survey of older married couples residing in three metropolitan areas in Florida. A total of 94 married couples who were 60 years older participated in this study. Results indicated that older husbands' self-assessment of appearance was positively correlated with wives' self-assessment of appearance. Husbands' evaluation of their wives' appearance was positively associated with wives' self-assessment of their own appearance (self-other agreement), and wives' evaluation of their husbands' appearance was also positively correlated with husbands' self-assessment of their own appearance (self-other agreement). In addition, husbands' evaluation of their wives' appearance corresponded to wives' evaluation of their husbands' appearance (reciprocity). These results indicated that the agreement in two spouses' self-assessment of appearance can be explained by the two coorientation effects (self-other agreement and reciprocity) occurred in two partners of married couples.

This study examines the relationship between age, body image, and women's proclivity to compare themselves with fashion models. A sample of 281 women between the ages of 30 and 80 participated in this study. Significant positive relationships between social comparison behavior and (a) appearance self-discrepancy and (b) the importance placed on achieving ideal appearance were found. A significant inverse relationship between social comparison behavior and body satisfaction was also observed. Participants older in age were found to be less likely to compare themselves with fashion models. However, the younger that participants felt they were, the more inclined they were to compare themselves with models. Participants who reported a larger difference between their ideal and actual age perceived more discrepancy between their ideal and actual appearance, were generally more dissatisfied with their body and appearance, and were more likely to compare themselves with fashion models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interpretive study reported in this article focused on the process by which mothers and daughters interact about body and dieting. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 mothers and their adolescent daughters. Constant comparison analysis of data revealed four patterns of mother-daughter interaction about body and dieting: (a) the direct verbal approach, including encouragement/facilitation, dissuasion, and fault-finding messages; (b) the avoidance/guardedness approach; (c) the modeling approach; and (d) the laissez-faire approach. These four patterns of communication varied in terms of content and were used in different contexts and combinations. These mother-daughter interactions (a) were shaped by mothers' and daughters' thoughts about the self, the other, and the mother-daughter relationship; (b) were used by mothers and daughters to plan future interactions with one another; and (c) served to guide lines of personal action with respect to dieting, especially in the case of daughters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]