Women's Experiences of Appearance Concern and Body Control across the Lifespan

Challenging accepted wisdom

Bibliographic Data

ID4228743
AuthorsOlwyn Johnston (0000-0002-6188-6445, University of Southampton), Jacqueline Reilly (University of Ulster), John Kremer (Queen's University Belfast)
Year2004
Volume9
Issue3
Pages397-410
Publication date2004-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Health Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1359-1053 • E-ISSN: 1461-7277
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1359105304042349
PMID15117539
OpenAlexW1977771828
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited49

This study adopted a lifespan approach to women's experiences of appearance concern and body control. Thirty-two women (aged 16 to 77) were interviewed about their exercise and food regulation. Results of the grounded theory analysis challenge social constructions of appearance concern as associated principally with the reproductive years, and of the body as malleable, and highlight the complexity of the relationship between appearance concern and body control. Despite frequent persistence of (or increase in) appearance concern beyond young adulthood, 'healthier' responses to appearance concern occurred due to changing priorities and increasing awareness. Findings highlight the utility of an inclusive and qualitative approach, and the absence of simple and sovereign factors determining an individual's levels of appearance concern or body control

Control (management · Developmental psychology · Grounded theory · Qualitative research · Sociology · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology · Social Psychology

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