Psychological impacts of appearance dissatisfaction.

Psychological impacts of appearance dissatisfaction

Overview

Why people may be self-conscious – reminderImpact

Emotional - feelingsCognitive - thoughtsBehaviours

Many reasons people may be self-conscious of appearance . . .

For example,

acne scarring

Many reasons people may be self-conscious of appearance . . .

For example,“Port wine stain” skin difference

Many reasons people may be self-conscious of appearance . . .

For example,

Weight/ size (real or imagined)

Psychological impact

Emotion – what is felt

Cognition – what is thought

Behaviour – what is/n’t done

Psychological impact

Emotion – what is felt

Cognition – what is thought

Behaviour – what is/n’t done

The three dimensions to consider

Emotional impacts – what is felt

Anxiety – especially social anxiety

“a fear of exposure to social situations . . .

. . . fear, confusion, pounding heart, sweating, shaking, blushing, muscle tension, upset stomach.”

Emotional impacts – what is felt

Depression“sadness, loss of interest or

pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration.”

More common in weight/size differences than other visible differences

Emotional impacts – what is felt

Shame

Internalised and/or

externalised shame

Emotional impacts – what is felt

Internalised Shame“acceptance that one has

personal attributes (e.g. body shape, size or textures) that are inferior/unattractive, and will result in rejection”

Emotional impacts – what is felt

Externalised Shame“awareness that once is a

member of a stigmatised group”

Emotional impacts – what is felt

Isolation – physical and emotional distanceFelt sense of isolation, and a real distance

– Strangers– Colleagues– Friends– Family

Emotional impacts – what is felt

Sense of belonging is a key human need.

Emotional impacts – what is felt

Feeling “Abnormal”/ “Other”

Not belonging

On the outside, looking in

Emotional impacts – what is felt

Physical Aggression Verbal Aggression AngerHostility

Sometimes observed as reaction to having different appearance

Emotional impacts – what is felt

Aggression Often masks

underlying fear and anxiety

Anxiety may not be conscious

Cognitive impacts – what it thought

Fear of negative evaluation

I expect you to think badly of who I am or what I look like

Cognitive impacts – what is thought

Increased salience – preoccupation with own/others’

appearance (esp. sensitive “features”)

The way I look is often in my thoughts

Cognitive impacts – what is thought

Interpretation of ambiguity

In social situations, I expect you to be reacting to the way I look (even if you actually might not be)

Cognitive impacts – what is thought

Interpretation of ambiguity

E.g., when someone is passed in the street by a friend with no acknowledgement:-

a) friend might be highly distracted, in a hurry, etc. – or

b) may be actively ignoring the person.

Self-conscious person most likely to think (b)

Cognitive impacts – what is thought

Attention to social threat stimuli

I will scan the social world to check out the possibility of people staring at me, talking about me, noticing me

Understanding staring

• Staring, “double takes”, furtive glances

Poor adjustment – assumes malicious reasons (e.g., disliking appearance, disgust, etc.)

Understanding staring

• Staring, “double takes”, furtive glances

Positive adjustment – assumes benign reasons (e.g., curiosity, natural attention to noticing difference etc.)

Awareness of own self

Trigger: an audience, mirror, camera

Negative feeling (anxiety, depression)

Self-focus

Awareness of

feeling

Intensity of

feeling

Behavioural impacts – what is/n’t done

Social avoidance–Restaurants, bars–Shops–Public transport–Work/interviews

Behavioural impacts – what is/n’t done

Social avoidanceA short term

strategyLinked to poor

outcomes

Behavioural impacts – what is/n’t done

Reduced social contact Loss of social skills

Behavioural impacts – what is/n’t done

Fear and anxiety

Expectations of negative outcomes

Social avoidance

Social functioning

Study example: participants rated

(1) all their interactions lasting > 10 mins, over 3 week period, &

(2) their own body image

Interaction quality is related to body confidence

Social functioning

Findings: Positive body image

was associated with greater perceived intimacy & social confidence in social interactions

Interaction quality is related to body confidence

Social skills improve body image

• Enhance social functioning by practicing– Conversational opening/maintenance/closing– Skills to develop social intimacy– Appearance specific skills • How to handle direct questions about appearance• How to handle stares, “second looks”, etc.

Enhanced social functioning improves body imageEnhanced body image improves social functioning

Please consider now . . .

How might appearance self-consciousness manifest at different points in the lifespan?

How might the concerns and behaviours of adolescents compare to older adults?

Please consider now . . .

How might appearance self-consciousness manifest in different contexts?

Consider the home, in close relationships, in public settings, in work/training/education?

Please consider now . . .

Can having a “different” and stigmatised appearance every have any positive implications for the individual concerned?

What might these be?

Please consider now . . .

Can having a “different” and stigmatised appearance every have any positive implications for the individual concerned?

Example: for some, unusual appearances have prompted consideration of core life values.

“Now I recognise what is really important in life, I know who my good friends are, and what really matters to me”

Summary: Different appearance increased risk for . . .

Anxiety, depression, shameIsolation, avoidance of othersUnhelpful thinking

Impact will vary across situations, time

Tips for trainers

• Be aware that appearance dissatisfaction may show through behaviour, thinking differences, or emotional responses

• Note the vicious cycles associated with negative impacts of appearance – help clients identify and break these

• Note potential virtuous cycles – help clients establish these (e.g., though enhanced social skills)