Poster(s)
Older and bolder? A mixed method research into the effects of the media on women’s body image.
Fiona Ryng
Liverpool Hope University
Caroline Wakefield
Liverpool Hope University
Objectives: An estimated 40 to 50 per cent of women report a
level of dissatisfaction with their bodies. Therefore, the purpose of this
study was to investigate the effects of media presentations of skinny models on
women’s body image. It was hypothesised that younger women would be more affected
by these images than would older women.
Design: Both qualitative and quantitative research methods
were used. Quantitative data was analysed by means of conducting a 2 x 2
(condition x time) within subjects ANOVA. Qualitative data was analysed using
interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).
Methods: 80 Irish female participants were recruited. Half
of the cohort was in their 20’s, while the other half were in their 40’s.
Participants completed the following measures: EAT-26, SATAQ-3, SPAS, SF-36, and
SMBI. A repeated measures ANOVA was conducted data. Four of these
participants were further selected for a semi-structured interview to further
explore general perceptions of body image.
Results: Results showed positive correlations between pre-
EAT scores (Eating Attitudes Test-26) and participant’s pre- ‘actual’ size.
There was also a significant relationship between scores for pre- SPAS and pre-
‘actual’ size, as well as post- SPAS and post-’actual’ size. Three recurring
superordinate themes were extracted from the qualitative analysis: (1) body
image and the ‘thin ideal’; (2) body image, social comparison and the role of
peer influence; and (3) body image and weight-loss dieting.
Conclusions: This study may serve to inform media
intervention programmes relating to the issue of body image dissatisfaction,
particularly in relation to age, as older women focussed more on health-related
issues.
