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)