Thesis
The effects of a cognitive defusion intervention on body image, body-focused anxiety, and negative affect after viewing ultra-thin media ideals
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Nov 2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4484
Abstract
Body dissatisfaction has become normative among women in the Western world. The media plays a large role in perpetuating the ideals of beauty for women, which includes an ultra-thin body, an unattainable standard for most women. Women who internalize the thin standard of beauty presented in the media are likely to experience body image dissatisfaction. Current interventions to prevent body image dissatisfaction include psychoeducation and media literacy, but have been shown to have limited effectiveness. Cognitive behavioral therapy has also been used to target clinical levels of body image dissatisfaction, but has not been tested in populations of women with subclinical levels. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a new approach in the cognitive-behavioral tradition, and has a broader focus on feelings, cognitions, and behaviors, rather than targeting pathology in the individual. Cognitive defusion is a core component of ACT, and is used to create distance from one's thoughts, a skill which may be useful in preventing the development of body image dissatisfaction. Therefore, this study will focus on examining the effectiveness of a cognitive defusion intervention designed to prevent the development of body image dissatisfaction, body-focused anxiety and negative affect in college women after viewing images of ultra-thin models. Participants were randomized to either a control condition or a cognitive defusion intervention condition and then exposed to images of ultra-thin models. After exposure, participants were assessed on body image dissatisfaction, body-focused anxiety and negative affect. It was hypothesized that the participants who receive the cognitive defusion intervention would experience lower levels of body image dissatisfaction, bodyfocused anxiety and negative affect after viewing the images, compared to those in the control group. Participants in the experimental group did report lower levels of body image dissatisfaction (p = .03), body-focused anxiety (p < .001), and negative affect (p = .07) after viewing the images, which shows that defusion may be an important variable in helping young women distance themselves from ultra-thin media ideals. Future research should focus on tailoring this intervention to meet the needs of racial and sexual minority individuals to help them distance themselves from racist and homophobic messages they may see in the media.
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Details
- Title
- The effects of a cognitive defusion intervention on body image, body-focused anxiety, and negative affect after viewing ultra-thin media ideals
- Creators
- Renee Mikorski - DU
- Contributors
- Meghan L. Butryn (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 4484; 991014632830204721