Mothers’ strategies to strengthen their daughters’ body image

Abstract

Existing studies of the mother–daughter relationship have focused mainly on the transfer of negative body image messages or on risk of eating disorders, and have paid little attention to how this relationship might serve as a resource for building body-acceptance or resilience to disordered eating. On the basis of a secondary analysis of four qualitative samples, we examined how mothers and their now-adult daughters reflect on the ways in which the mothers tried to promote positive body image and resilience to body dissatisfaction in their daughters. Using a content analysis, we have identified five strategies: (a) filtering – being cautious and sensitive in communicating about body image issues, (b) transmitting awareness of the dangers of eating disorders, (c) positive reinforcement – providing affirmations in regard to daughters’ bodies; (d) discussion – providing tools for criticism of the dominant body-related social discourse; and (e) positivity – shifting the focus from food, body-size and weight loss to making healthy choices and taking pleasure in food. Identification of these strategies emphasizes the many potential avenues for growth and development inherent in mother–daughter relationships.

Protective factors against disordered eating in family systems: a systematic review of research

“…Other aspects of the family weight and eating environment identified as protective include high maternal BMI (protective against AN), and having discussions about healthy eating but not about weight (against disordered WCBs) [23, 25]. These results fit well with the findings of qualitative research looking at strategies used by parents to promote positive body image and resilience against disordered eating, such as sensitively filtering communication around body image issues, and promoting positivity around food by shifting the focus of conversations away from body size and weight towards healthy choices and pleasure [51]. …”

Maternal Communication Strategies That Promote Body Image in Daughters

“…Although mother-daughter relationships “are one of the most significant socio-cultural factors” predicting eating disorders and negative body image (Maor & Cwikel, 2016, p. 2), the current research was able to identify potential maternal communication behaviors that may instead help promote daughters’ body image. Positive body image is reciprocal between individuals and their environments, meaning individuals shape and are shaped by positive body image messages (e.g., avoiding fat talk, seeking others who also love themselves; Wood-Barcalow, Tylka, & Augustus-Horvath, 2010), so mothers who help their daughters increase respect and love for their bodies would ultimately raise daughters who contribute positively to and are critical of a culture that does not allow them to think favorably of or be comfortable in their bodies.…”

“…Rather, positive body image includes notably different aspects, such as a broad conception of beauty, inner positivity, media literacy, spirituality, and a functional view of the body (Frisén & Holmqvist, 2010). Research indicates that mothers foster the development of their daughters’ positive body image via a number of communication strategies, including discussing strategies for analyzing mainstream body ideals and messages, creating relational safety, and breaking intergenerational silence regarding body image struggles (Maor & Cwikel, 2016; McBride et al, 2017). In an effort to further identify and compare maternal behaviors that promote daughters’ body image, the purpose of the current research is to connect adult women’s recall of their mothers’ communication behaviors to their body image by utilizing the tenets of three commonly used body image prevention approaches (see Levine & Smolak, 2006).…”

“…Indeed, mothers and daughters share similar levels of body-related concerns (e.g., body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, eating pathology symptoms; Cooley, Toray, Wang, & Valdez, 2008) and weight-related communication behaviors (e.g., fat talk; Arroyo & Andersen, 2016). However, just as mothers may contribute to the development of daughters' negative body image, the mother-daughter relationship offers opportunities for developing a healthy and more positive view of self (Maor & Cwikel, 2016). For instance, a supportive and warm mother-daughter relationship is a protective factor against eating pathology and weight concerns (Al Sabbah et al, 2009).…”

‘And yet I’m an adult now’. The influence of parental criticism on women’s body satisfaction/dissatisfaction during emerging adulthood

“…Several authors (e.g. Maor & Cwikel, 2016) argued that the same conditions that make the family influence a vehicle for the transmission of negative messages about body image also offer the opportunity for the development of body self-acceptance. The education parenting strategies should promote competing counter-discourses of body image.…”