More than looking good: Impact on quality of life moderates the relationship between functional body image and physical activity in men with SCI

Abstract

Study design: Cross-sectional. Objectives: To examine the relationship between body image and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) among men with spinal cord injury (SCI). Specifically, to examine the moderating function of the perceived impact of body image on quality of life (QOL). Setting: Ontario, Canada. Methods: Men with SCI (N ¼ 50, 50% paraplegic) reported, (a) their functional and appearance body image (Adult Body Satisfaction Questionnaire), (b) their perceived impact of body image on QOL and (c) LTPA performed over the previous 3 days. Results: Body image was in the 'normal' range compared with the general population. Linear regression analysis found a significant LTPA Â body image impact on QOL interaction b ¼ 0.39, Po0.05. Post hoc analysis showed that among individuals who reported a negative effect of body image on QOL, those who engaged in LTPA were less satisfied with their physical function than those who did not. For those who did not perceive their body image to negatively impact their QOL, there was generally no difference in functional body image between those who engaged in LTPA and those who did not. Conclusion: Appearance body image is not related to LTPA for men with SCI. It has been suggested that body dissatisfaction may motivate some individuals to engage in LTPA. However, for men living with SCI, functional body image may be associated with LTPA only when a negative effect on QOL is perceived. Future research should consider the moderating function of the perceived impact of body image on QOL when examining the relationship between LTPA and body image among men living with SCI.

A pilot study examining correlates of body image among women living with SCI

“…It is possible that functional dissatisfaction may motivate some women to engage in LTPA. 9 Body image disturbance should be addressed in the years most proximal to injury onset as satisfaction with appearance and function may improve with time following injury. Future research should examine appearance and functional aspects of body image within Cash's model.…”

Managing the stigma: Exploring body image experiences and self-presentation among people with spinal cord injury

“…Women with spinal cord injury in Bassett et al’s (2009) study were slightly dissatisfied with their appearance and slightly satisfied with their function. Meanwhile, in another study by Bassett and Martin Ginis (2009) among men with spinal cord injury, the men indicated overall satisfaction with appearance and function. The authors proposed that this may have been due to the men lowering their appearance and functional standards following their injury by shifting value away from physical qualities or changing the reference group (to other men with spinal cord injury).…”

Body Image in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury During Inpatient Rehabilitation

“…8 Most of the studies into body image of people with SCI focus on physical characteristics and/or physical activity. 3,4,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] From these studies it becomes clear that SCI has consequences for the way people with SCI perceive oneself and interact with their surroundings, including potential partners. 4,10,12,13 Other studies suggest that the satisfaction with the body improves over the years after SCI.…”

“…11 Some studies found that the satisfaction with appearance after SCI was not different from a reference group. 9,14 One way to study body image from a cognitive behavioral point of view is to explore how people experience the relationship between their body and self. According to Bode, 16 this experience consists of two different aspects, namely Alienation and Harmony.…”

“…[19][20][21] Also in studies with SCI, body image seems one of the factors contributing to QoL. 3,9,12,22 Although some of the former studies in SCI suggest a relationship between body image and emotional aspects of adjustment to SCI, 4,9,10,22 none examined this relationship explicitly. To our knowledge, there are no studies investigating body image during the inpatient rehabilitation phase, nor are there any studies about the possible influence of body image on the experienced distress of people with SCI.…”