Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Child Adolesc Trauma 2022 Sep 7;15(3):523-538. Epub 2021 Aug 7.

Institute for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany.

Purpose: We aimed to synthesize the evidence for an association between childhood maltreatment and body image disturbances in adulthood. Information on maltreatment subtypes and mediator variables was included to gain further insights into the mechanisms of the association. In addition, we aimed to examine the role of body image disturbances in the development of negative mental health outcomes associated with childhood maltreatment. Read More

J Clin Med 2022 Aug 2;11(15). Epub 2022 Aug 2.

Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, 80336 Munich, Germany.

: Women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CAH) may have poor quality of life (QoL) and low satisfaction with body appearance. We investigated the influence of the patients' satisfaction with their support on their QoL and body image. : Retrospective, comparative, Europe-wide study as part of the multicenter dsd-LIFE study. Read More

Rev Bras Enferm 2022 8;75(6):e20210512. Epub 2022 Aug 8.

Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Objective: To analyze the structure and contents of transgender women's social representations of their bodies and body modification practices.

Methods: Research conducted with 92 women using the Snowball technique. The data were collected using the free evocation of words technique and processed by the Evoc software, which organized the central and peripheral elements. Read More

Body Image 2022 Aug 6;42:419-426. Epub 2022 Aug 6.

Escola Superior de Saúde de Santa Maria, Travessa Antero Quental no. 173/175, 4049-024 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address:

Body appreciation, a central aspect of positive body image, recently started to capture the attention of the scientific community as a potential determinant of well-being. However, little is known about onset and early identification in both males and females, as studies on this subject in childhood are still scarce, due in part to a dearth of validated instruments. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to examine the psychometric properties and sex invariance of a Portuguese version of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 for Children (BAS-2C; Halliwell et al. Read More

Body Image 2022 Aug 2;42:413-418. Epub 2022 Aug 2.

School of Psychology, University of Sussex, UK.

South Asian women living in Western cultures may experience skin colour dissatisfaction, as fair skin is an important South Asian appearance ideal, whilst visible ethnic differences in their skin colour may lead to appearance-related ethnic teasing from members from the mainstream culture. This study investigates whether appearance-related ethnic teasing is indirectly associated with body dissatisfaction via skin colour dissatisfaction and explores the relationship between appearance-related ethnic teasing, cultural identification and skin colour dissatisfaction amongst first-generation South Asian women living in the United Kingdom. South Asian women (N = 98; 18-55 years, M = 24. Read More

Body Image 2022 Aug 2;42:401-412. Epub 2022 Aug 2.

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.

The postpartum period is a window of vulnerability for disordered eating. Postpartum women experience pressures to "bounce back" to their pre-pregnancy weight which may lead to social comparisons, however it is unknown what postpartum women compare (e.g. Read More

Body Image 2022 Aug 2;42:385-400. Epub 2022 Aug 2.

Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.

Self-compassion involves reflecting on shared human experiences, expressing self-kindness, and responding to feelings in a kind and non-judgmental way. Self-compassion interventions seem to be effective for women's body dissatisfaction, however, such interventions have not been trialed with men, including sexual minority men, who are particularly vulnerable. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a brief self-compassion intervention designed to reduce body dissatisfaction among sexual minority men (N = 605). Read More

Body Image 2022 Aug 2;42:327-337. Epub 2022 Aug 2.

Elizabeth Rutherford Memorial Centre for the Advancement of Research on Emotion, School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

This work proposes that trait body dissatisfaction rests on two dissociable components: 1) frequency of body dissatisfaction episodes, and 2) duration of such episodes, with higher trait body dissatisfaction resulting from more frequent and/or prolonged episodes. The current research aimed to develop a measure of these two dimensions (i.e. Read More

Sci Prog 2022 Jul-Sep;105(3):368504221117068

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, 49550Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

Objective: Body image is defined as the perception of one's own body. While positive body image has a positive impact on quality of life, self-dissatisfaction may lead to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Body image might be quantified and evaluated: relevant instruments include the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS). Read More

Body Image 2022 Aug 1;42:347-360. Epub 2022 Aug 1.

School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia; Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals, SWSLHD, Campbelltown, Australia.

Body image disturbance is core to the psychopathology of eating disorders (EDs), and related disorders such as muscle dysmorphia (MD). Global measures of body image fail to quantify specific aspects of body image disturbance that characterizes EDs, and may be differentially associated to outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of specific body image facets and synthesize findings from controlled studies that compared clinical ED/MD and control-comparison groups in body image disturbance. Read More

J Psychosom Res 2022 Jul 25;161:110993. Epub 2022 Jul 25.

University of Tasmania, College of Health & Medicine, School of Psychological Science, Hobart, Australia.

Objective: The understanding as to how people with endometriosis view and relate to their bodies is limited but important given the physical and psychological symptoms associated with the condition. The current study explored the differences in HRQoL (general, physical, emotional) and body image in an endometriosis and control sample. The current study also examined the influence of disease status (+Endo, -Endo), psychological wellbeing, and body image on HRQoL. Read More

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022 Sep 21;34(9):919-924. Epub 2022 Jul 21.

Psychology Department, Center for Pediatric Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Background: Elevated depressive symptoms are observed in a significant number of youth with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and have been linked to illness stigma and social isolation. Body image dissatisfaction is an understudied variable in the pediatric IBD literature that may be related to both stigma and social difficulties. It is suspected that, due to the stigmatizing nature of IBD, some youth may feel self-conscious about their body image, which contributes to decreased feelings of social belongingness and ultimately depressive symptoms. Read More

Body Image 2022 Jul 27;42:297-306. Epub 2022 Jul 27.

Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; U.O.C. Hospital Psychology, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy.

Body dissatisfaction has been related to Body Image Disorders (BIDs) such as Eating Disorders (EDs) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). This study investigates the efficacy of a mHealth app in reducing body dissatisfaction, BDD/ED symptoms and related features. Ninety-five women who were identified as high-risk of developing BIDs (using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5) were randomized into: immediate-use App (iApp group; n = 47) and delayed-use App (dApp group; n = 48). Read More

Eat Behav 2022 Jul 20;46:101653. Epub 2022 Jul 20.

APPEAR, Department of Applied Educational Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, USA.

To date, sociocultural models of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating have predominantly focused on the pursuit of thinness and have somewhat neglected sociocultural discourse and pressures that increase fear of fatness. Therefore, we tested a model to determine whether sociocultural pressures from media and interpersonal sources were associated with drive for thinness and fear of fatness. We also examined whether beliefs about the controllability of shape and weight were in turn associated with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Read More

Gac Med Mex 2022 ;158(3):118-123

Department of Psychology, Centro de Atención Integral GARE infantil. Puebla, México.

Introduction: In Mexico, the prevalence of childhood obesity is 35%, and it continues to increase.

Objective: To determine the correlation between self-image, self-esteem and depression in children aged 8 to 14 years with and without obesity.

Methods: Cross-sectional, comparative study of 295 children: 116 with overweight/obesity (group 1) and 179 with normal weight (group 2). Read More

Cien Saude Colet 2022 Aug 11;27(8):3227-3238. Epub 2022 Apr 11.

Universidade Estadual de Maringá. Maringá PR Brasil.

Dissatisfaction with body image is considered a relevant variable in understanding the mental health of adolescents. In this respect, the scope of this study was to evaluate the impact of this dissatisfaction on variables associated with the mental health of Brazilian students enrolled in the 9th year. To achieve this, the data from the 2015 National School Health Survey was used and the methodology applied was based on Propensity Score Matching (PSM). Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Jul 16;19(14). Epub 2022 Jul 16.

Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy.

The present study aimed at assessing the predictors (related to the functioning of a parent-child dyad) of child body shame. Therefore, in the main analysis we examined relationships among child body shame, child perfectionism, child body dissatisfaction, parent body shame, parent perfectionism, and parent body dissatisfaction. In our main hypothesis we assumed that higher levels of the abovementioned parent functioning-related variables would be associated with higher child body shame after accounting for the effects of the foregoing child functioning-related variables. Read More

Brain Sci 2022 Jul 21;12(7). Epub 2022 Jul 21.

Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University, 66100 Chieti, Italy.

Background: Obesity is a condition that affects humans both physically and mentally. Moreover, many psychopathological conditions can be observed in obese patients that may threaten the positive outcomes of bariatric surgery.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the main psychopathological correlates of obese candidates for bariatric surgery, with particular attention on the relationship between psychopathology and gender. Read More

Curr Oncol 2022 Jun 22;29(7):4438-4454. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada.

(1) Background: Patients and survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC) are at a high risk of developing body image concerns. Despite the prevalence of body image concerns in patients with HNC, there is a lack of longitudinal research exploring the wide array of its associated determinants. The current longitudinal study examined the determinants and longitudinal course of body image dissatisfaction in patients with HNC. Read More

Pediatr Diabetes 2022 Jul 23. Epub 2022 Jul 23.

George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA.

Background: Adolescents with type 1 diabetes are at significantly increased risk for eating disorders and few interventions exist.

Objective: This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of an internet-based eating disorders prevention program adapted specifically for adolescent girls with type 1 diabetes.

Participants And Methods: Thirty-five girls (16. Read More

Clin Ter 2022 Jul-Aug;173(4):342-346

UOC Breast Unit Latina, S. Maria Goretti Hospital, Latina, Italy.

Background: Breast is a symbol of femininity, motherhood and sexuality. Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide and most frequent cancer in Italy: in 2019, 53.500 new cases were diagnosed. Read More

Health Psychol 2022 Aug;41(8):527-537

Department of Psychology, University of Bologna.

Objective: Weight-based teasing is a form of weight-based stigmatization that is especially prevalent in middle childhood, and is associated with undesired health outcomes, including body dissatisfaction and eating restraint. To date, this relation has been mainly investigated at individual level only. This study aimed to examine whether body dissatisfaction and eating restraint among primary schoolchildren relate not only to personal experiences of weight-based teasing, but also to the prevalence of weight-based teasing episodes in the classroom. Read More

Child Adolesc Ment Health 2022 Jul 18. Epub 2022 Jul 18.

Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Background: Research suggests there is an association between high levels of recreational screen time and depression among adolescents; however, mechanisms driving this association remain unknown. The present study examined appearance and weight satisfaction and disordered eating behaviors as mediators in the relationship between recreational screen time and depressive symptoms in adolescents.

Method: Longitudinal data on screen time, depressive symptoms, disordered eating behaviors, and appearance and weight satisfaction from 304 adolescents (194 females, M  = 13. Read More

Burns 2022 Jun 22. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical Faculty, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address:

Aim: The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt and validate the Satisfaction with Appearance Scale (SWAP) into Turkish to be used in the context of pediatric burn care.

Method: This methodological study was conducted in two stages as Language Adaptation and Psychometric study. In the first stage, the Turkish scale was obtained after expert translations. Read More

Body Image 2022 Jul 13;42:246-256. Epub 2022 Jul 13.

Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Swinburne University of Technology, School of Health Sciences, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address:

Despite frequently co-occurring, the temporal relationship between depression and eating disorder symptoms remains poorly understood. This exploratory study sought to investigate the reciprocal relationship between depressive symptoms and (1) shape and weight dissatisfaction, (2) shape and weight overvaluation, (3) preoccupation with shape or weight, (4) preoccupation with food, (5) dietary restraint and (6) binge eating in early adolescence. Adolescents (N = 1393) aged between 11. Read More

Obes Surg 2022 Jul 15. Epub 2022 Jul 15.

Department of Surgery-Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Penn State Health, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.

Purpose: Interest has grown regarding the impact of social media platforms on mental health including body image and internalized weight bias (IWB) in those who have struggled with weight issues. However, few studies have addressed social media usage in bariatric patient samples. The objective of this study was to understand how the amount of time spent on social media could serve as a predictor for IWB in both pre- and post-operative bariatric patients. Read More

Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2022 8;30:e3586. Epub 2022 Jul 8.

Universidad Autónoma de Baja Califonia, Facultad de Medicina y Psicología, Tijuana, Baja California, México.

Objective: the aim of the present article was to test a self-care model explained by the relationship between self-efficacy, body image, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression in people with bariatric surgery in the city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

Method: this was a correlational cross-sectional study carried out between August and December 2020. Validated instruments were administered to 102 participants to measure their self-care capacity, general self-efficacy, psychopathological symptoms, and body image perception and satisfaction. Read More

BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2022 20;8(2):e001265. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Research Unit for Digital Psychiatry, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.

Eating disorders are more prevalent in athletes than in the general population and may have severe consequences for sports performance and health. Identifying symptoms can be difficult in athletes because restrictive eating and slim body images are often idealised in a sports setting. The Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the SCOFF (Sick, Control, One stone, Fat and Food) questionnaire (SCOFF) are widely used generic instruments to identify symptoms of eating disorders. Read More

Nutrients 2022 Jul 5;14(13). Epub 2022 Jul 5.

Faculty of Chemical-Biological Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Guerrero 39087, Mexico.

Background: Evidence suggests that physical self-concept (PSC) is linked to well-being in children and adolescents.

Objective: The objective was to investigate the association of PSC with mental health (i.e. Read More