The study aimed to test Menzel and Levine's (2011) embodiment theory of positive body image in the context of belly dance. Participants were 213 women from Adelaide, South Australia. They comprised 112 belly dancers recruited from two belly dance schools, and a sample of 101 college women who had never participated in belly dance. Participants completed questionnaire measures of positive body image, body dissatisfaction, self-objectification, and enjoyment of sexualization. It was found that belly dancers scored higher on positive body image and lower on body dissatisfaction and self-objectification than the college students. There was, however, no difference between groups in enjoyment of sexualization. Importantly, in support of the embodiment model, the effect of belly dance group on positive body image was mediated by reduced self-objectification. It was concluded that belly dance represents an embodying activity, one associated with a number of benefits for its practioners, including positive body image.

No abstract

Stigma is often experienced by people affected by lung cancer due to the known links between lung cancer and smoking. Antitobacco campaigns, although attempting to “de-normalise” smoking, may contribute to stigmatising people affected by cancer. The study examined how people diagnosed with lung cancer recall and respond to antitobacco advertisements postdiagnosis. Sixteen qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with people with a lung cancer diagnosis who were recruited from an Australian clinical cancer registry. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants mostly recalled narrative style antitobacco advertisements. A wide array of emotional responses to the advertisements were reported, including relief, shame, worry, discomfort, and resignation. Some participants avoided the advertisements altogether. Although some participants found the advertisements to be promoting stigma, others did not. Participants were not opposed to the broadcasting of antitobacco advertisements. Rather, the advertisements were perceived as appropriate and necessary. In conclusion, although people diagnosed with lung cancer reported experiencing some negative emotional responses to antitobacco advertising, they were supportive of its continuance.