Psychological impacts of appearance dissatisfaction

1. Psychological impacts of appearance dissatisfaction

3. Overview Why people may be self-conscious – reminder Impact Emotional - feelings Cognitive - thoughts Behaviours

4. Many reasons people may be self-conscious of appearance . . . For example, acne scarring

5. Many reasons people may be self-conscious of appearance . . . For example, “Port wine stain” skin difference

6. Many reasons people may be self-conscious of appearance . . . For example, Weight/ size (real or imagined)

7. Psychological impact Emotion – what is felt Cognition – what is thought Behaviour – what is/n’t done

8. Psychological impact Emotion – what is felt Cognition – what is thought Behaviour – what is/n’t done The three dimensions to consider

9. Emotional impacts – what is felt Anxiety – especially social anxiety “a fear of exposure to social situations . . . . . . fear, confusion, pounding heart, sweating, shaking, blushing, muscle tension, upset stomach.”

10. Emotional impacts – what is felt Depression “sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration.” More common in weight/size differences than other visible differences

11. Emotional impacts – what is felt Shame Internalised and/or externalised shame

12. Emotional impacts – what is felt Internalised Shame “acceptance that one has personal attributes (e.g. body shape, size or textures) that are inferior/unattractive, and will result in rejection”

13. Emotional impacts – what is felt Externalised Shame “awareness that once is a member of a stigmatised group”

14. Emotional impacts – what is felt Isolation – physical and emotional distance Feltsense of isolation, and a realdistance • Strangers • Colleagues • Friends • Family

15. Emotional impacts – what is felt Sense of belonging is a key human need.

16. Emotional impacts – what is felt Feeling “Abnormal”/ “Other” Not belonging On the outside, looking in

17. Emotional impacts – what is felt Physical Aggression Verbal Aggression Anger Hostility Sometimes observed as reaction to having different appearance

18. Emotional impacts – what is felt Aggression Often masks underlying fear and anxiety Anxiety may not be conscious

19. Cognitive impacts – what it thought Fear of negative evaluation I expect you to think badly of who I am or what I look like

20. Cognitive impacts – what is thought Increased salience • preoccupation with own/others’ appearance (esp. sensitive “features”) The way I look is often in my thoughts

21. Cognitive impacts – what is thought Interpretation of ambiguity In social situations, I expect you to be reacting to the way I look (even if you actually might not be)

22. Cognitive impacts – what is thought Interpretation of ambiguity E.g., when someone is passed in the street by a friend with no acknowledgement:- • friend might be highly distracted, in a hurry, etc. – or • may be actively ignoring the person. Self-conscious person most likely to think (b)

23. Cognitive impacts – what is thought Attention to social threat stimuli I will scan the social world to check out the possibility of people staring at me, talking about me, noticing me

24. Understanding staring • Staring, “double takes”, furtive glances Poor adjustment – assumes malicious reasons (e.g., disliking appearance, disgust, etc.)

25. Understanding staring • Staring, “double takes”, furtive glances Positive adjustment – assumes benign reasons (e.g., curiosity, natural attention to noticing difference etc.)

26. Awareness of own self Trigger: an audience, mirror, camera Negative feeling (anxiety, depression)

27. Behavioural impacts – what is/n’t done Social avoidance • Restaurants, bars • Shops • Public transport • Work/interviews

28. Behavioural impacts – what is/n’t done Social avoidance A short term strategy Linked to poor outcomes

29. Behavioural impacts – what is/n’t done Reduced social contact Loss of social skills

30. Behavioural impacts – what is/n’t done

31. Social functioning Interaction quality is related to body confidence Study example: participants rated • all their interactions lasting > 10 mins, over 3 week period, & • their own body image

32. Social functioning Interaction quality is related to body confidence Findings: Positive body image was associated with greater perceived intimacy & social confidence in social interactions

33. Social skills improve body image • Enhance social functioning by practicing • Conversational opening/maintenance/closing • Skills to develop social intimacy • Appearance specific skills • How to handle direct questions about appearance • How to handle stares, “second looks”, etc. Enhanced social functioning improves body image Enhanced body image improves social functioning

34. Please consider now . . . How might appearance self-consciousness manifest at different points in the lifespan? How might the concerns and behaviours of adolescents compare to older adults?

35. Please consider now . . . How might appearance self-consciousness manifest in different contexts? Consider the home, in close relationships, in public settings, in work/training/education?

36. Please consider now . . . Can having a “different” and stigmatised appearance every have any positive implications for the individual concerned? What might these be?

37. Please consider now . . . Can having a “different” and stigmatised appearance every have any positive implications for the individual concerned? Example: for some, unusual appearances have prompted consideration of core life values. “Now I recognise what is really important in life, I know who my good friends are, and what really matters to me”

38. Summary: Different appearance increased risk for . . . Anxiety, depression, shame Isolation, avoidance of others Unhelpful thinking Impact will vary across situations, time

39. Tips for trainers • Be aware that appearance dissatisfaction may show through behaviour, thinking differences, or emotional responses • Note the vicious cycles associated with negative impacts of appearance – help clients identify and break these • Note potential virtuous cycles – help clients establish these (e.g., though enhanced social skills)