The embeddedness of body image: A study of women with and without eating disorders

Body image and its relationship to women's well-being has been researched extensively partially because of its links with dangerous dieting behaviors. However, research has been limited to investigating specific aspects of self-concept and has failed to look at beliefs about the body in the more specific context of women's lives. The study extended research by examining the interaction between body image, goal striving, and well-being in a clinical and nonclinical sample. It was hypothesized that the extent to which body image is a main goal in a woman's life and the extent to which she sees it to be related to striving for other life goals (embeddedness) would influence how strongly body dissatisfaction impacts on her well-being. Women (N = 161) completed a questionnaire. Results indicated that embeddedness of body image moderated the relationship between body and life satisfaction for all women and that this effect was consistent over a 3-month follow-up. Clinical differences were found. Results highlight the importance of seeing body image in the context of women's lives, not just for those with eating disorders but for those without. Suggestions for therapeutic intervention are made.