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Internalization of body shape ideals and body dissatisfaction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Paterna Adrian,
AlcarazIbáñez Manuel,
FullerTyszkiewicz Matthew,
Sicilia Álvaro
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.23568
Subject(s) - internalization , meta analysis , psychology , attractiveness , operationalization , physical attractiveness , social psychology , clinical psychology , medicine , receptor , psychoanalysis , philosophy , epistemology
Objective The present meta‐analysis summarizes existing evidence on the relationship between the internalization of body shape ideals (IBSI) and body dissatisfaction. Method Pooled effect sizes ( r ) were computed using a random‐effects model. The robustness of the results was examined using influence analyses. Potential predictors of effect heterogeneity were examined using subgroup analysis and univariable/multivariable meta‐regressions. Publication bias was examined using the three‐parameter selection model (3PSM). Results A total of 141 effect‐sizes from 78 studies ( N = 39,491) were retrieved. Results revealed medium ( r = .25; muscular/athletic‐ideal internalization) to very large ( r = .43, general attractiveness‐ideal internalization; and r = .45, thin‐ideal internalization) relationships, all these being largely similar in male and female individuals. Discussion IBSI and body dissatisfaction were strongly linked: (a) in younger individuals (general attractiveness‐ideal internalization); (b) when IBSI was operationalized in terms of endorsement rather than mere awareness of appearance ideals; (c) in studies of lower methodological quality (muscular/athletic‐ideal internalization); and (d) when IBSI was assessed using instruments involving social comparisons. Given the largely cross‐sectional nature of data included in this meta‐analysis, further testing in prospective and experimental studies is needed to confirm hypotheses about causality of observed associations. Such findings would have impact for prevention and intervention studies.