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The Power of Others to Shape Our Identity: Body Image, Physical Abilities, and Body Weight
Author(s) -
Pelican Suzanne,
Heede Fred Vanden,
Holmes Betty,
Melcher Linda M.,
Wardlaw Mary Kay,
Raidl Martha,
Wheeler Barbara,
Moore Sylvia A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
family and consumer sciences research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 1077-727X
DOI - 10.1177/1077727x05277738
Subject(s) - embarrassment , feeling , psychology , identity (music) , social psychology , perspective (graphical) , narrative , power (physics) , interpretation (philosophy) , developmental psychology , aesthetics , philosophy , linguistics , physics , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , computer science , programming language
Other people can profoundly influence individuals' feelings about their own body and physical abilities—important dimensions of personal identity and key factors related to lifestyle and body weight. Atotal of 103 adults shared narratives related to physical activity and body image. In relation to the influence of other people, some participants felt strengthened (e.g., praised, supported), and many participants reported damaging experiences (e.g., embarrassment, ridicule). The constructs of self‐esteem and sedimentation of experience helped guide interpretation of participants' stories. From a public health perspective, individuals need to feel competent to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle, and they need to feel worthy of living it. Recommendations are offered to help people engender these feelings in other individuals.