Body appreciation, interest in cosmetic enhancements, and need for uniqueness among U.S. college students

An investigation of the association between body appreciation, need for self‐expression, and interest in cosmetic enhancing procedures

“…There are several factors that make the current discussion relevant within this region of the world. First, despite Gillen and Dunaev's finding of an association between body appreciation and the need for uniqueness, they caution that this association is only likely to occur in contexts in which the development of an independent sense of self is advocated. Conversely, in collectivist cultures where an interdependent sense of self is the norm, the desire to strive for uniqueness may not be pursued.…”

“…Studies have consistently reported that individuals with greater degrees of body appreciation are more likely to engage in health‐protective behaviors, such as regular exercise; possess higher self‐esteem; report diminished rates of depression; have a lower drive for muscularity; engage in less disordered eating; and have fewer unhealthy dieting behaviors . Moreover, given that individuals who possess high degrees of body appreciation are unlikely to succumb to cultural pressure to meet the socially derived ideal of appearance, Gillen and Dunaev suggest that these individuals may be less accepting of behaviors directed at modifying, enhancing or changing their natural appearance. This is a reasonable assertion given that prior research shows that individuals with high body appreciation are unlikely to elect to undergo cosmetic surgery procedures.…”

“…Thus, higher body appreciation may be associated with greater interest in enhancing procedures. The links among body appreciation, interest in cosmetic enhancements, and a need for uniqueness have not been fully explored; however, Gillen and Dunaev propose that the core features of body appreciation, that is, acceptance, respect, and protection, provide a framework for understanding how one's body is unique in both appearance and function. These authors posit two hypotheses regarding the association between these two variables.…”

“…First, some individuals possess natural characteristics that are rare within their sociocultural context, for example, an unusual name or style of dress; therefore, within the context of pervasive body dissatisfaction, possessing high levels of body appreciation may be a rare commodity. Possessing high levels of body appreciation may distinguish individuals from the rest of society and thus promote a need for individuality, uniqueness, and distinctiveness . Conversely, a higher need for uniqueness may promote a greater appreciation of one's body, which is plausible, as it is known that a higher need for uniqueness is associated with a range of behaviors and characteristics that may potentially encourage the development of body appreciation.…”

“…Higher self‐esteem, independence of opinions, openness to new experiences, and creativity have all been positively linked to a stronger need for uniqueness . Gillen and Dunaev argue that individuals who possess these characteristics may more frequently encounter people and life experiences different from their own lives, which may promote a greater awareness and appreciation of body diversity. Alternatively, individuals who possess these traits and characteristics may be more likely to elicit positive feedback from their environments, which in turn, encourages a greater appreciation of the self and body.…”