Body Image and Appearance-Management Behaviors in College Women

Abstract

The contemporary ideal standard offemale beauty in the Western world is based on thinness, attractiveness, and fitness. Women are enculturated to monitor these personal characteristics, and to construct their appearances to meet these normative expectations. Because most body image research to date has focused on quantitative methods of assessing the complex interrelationships among variables, women's "lived experiences" were examined through a qualitative study of 95 college women to explore the subjective nature of body satisfaction, the extent to which agency and control influence the construction of appearance, and what appearance-management behaviors are typically practiced andlor advisable. Nine themes emerged from the written essays. The most common theme was risky appearance-management behaviors that were practiced in response to gendered social norms, indicating the prevalent feeling that the body is malleable and considered to be under individual control. Common socio-cultural constructs were social comparison, world view, and influence of others. Essays attested to the centrality of body image in the lives of college women, and provide evidence that social comparison and ensuing appearancemanagement behaviors were ways in which young women exhibit agency or control over their lives.

Identifying the Causal Relationships of Appearance Management through an Analysis of One's Own Clothing and Wearing Experiences over a 10-day Period

“…It also shows how the clothing was used as a form of camouflage. The results are consistent with Rudd and Lennon (2000), Cash (1990), Fisher (1973 and Boultwood and Jerrard (2000) and Banister and Hogg (2004), who together have indicated that clothing is used as a body image management tool, and also consistent with Kwon and Parham (1994), and Compton (1962), clothing was also used to help strengthen self and body-image perceptions and therefore mood.…”

“…Affecting one's mood, self-expression, and camouflage of the body are typical uses of clothing with the body. The most common coping mechanism for body image and appearance-management has shown to be camouflage (Rudd & Lennon, 2000). Interestingly, like therapy, early studies showed how outfits and fabrics enhance self-presentation, strengthen the self concept (Compton, 1962;Gibbons & Gwyn, 1975), help conform to an ideal self of femininity and social ability -843 -through clothing fabrics, colour and design, but also to strengthen weak body-image boundaries (Compton, 1962).…”

Media Involvement on Appearance Evaluation, Appearance Stress, and Appearance Management Behavior

“…외모에 대한 개인의 평가는 신체이미지의 다차원적 개념에 의해 설명할 수 있으며, Rudd and Lennon(2000) 은 신체에 대한 지각적 요소들과 태도적 요소들로 신체 이미지를 보았다. 이 중 태도적 신체이미지는 자신이 신 체에 대하여 갖는 느낌, 평가, 행위 등을 말하는 것으로 의복행동에 영향을 미치는 요인이 된다.…”

Large? Clothing sizes and size labeling

“…We have reason to believe that these problems are different for men and women, as men have gained more weight than women (Meyer & Tverdal 2005). On the other hand, more women than men believe that they are overweight or have a weight problem (Rudd & Lennon 2000). While women's bodies are the focus of attention in public (De Grazia & Furlough 2005), less attention is directed at men's bodies.…”