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Cognitive Defusion and Psychological Flexibility Predict Negative Body Image in the Chinese College Students: Evidence from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

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  • Shuanghu Fang

    (School of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China)

  • Dongyan Ding

    (School of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China)

  • Pingping Ji

    (School of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China)

  • Mingjie Huang

    (School of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China)

  • Kesong Hu

    (Department of Psychology, Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, USA)

Abstract

Body dissatisfaction is a global phenomenon. Despite the significant cultural difference, most research on negative body image was conducted in Western countries. How do cognitive fusion and psychological flexibility relate to negative body image in the Chinese population? In the present study, this question was investigated through the intervention technique, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Here, 86 young Chinese university students with high negative physical self were invited, in which 42 students received 10 sessions of group-based ACT intervention in a clinical setting while the remained acted as the control group with no intervention. Pretests showed no statistical differences in negative body image between these two groups, while both cognitive fusion and psychological flexibility predicted negative body image. Post-pre tests showed no change in the control group, while enhanced cognitive defusion and psychological flexibility in the ACT group. Individual differences in psychological flexibility and cognitive defusion enhancement predicted improved body image. A strong association of implicit body image with Fatness and Shortness changes suggested that although with individual differences, those components could be internalized during the intervention in the College students.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuanghu Fang & Dongyan Ding & Pingping Ji & Mingjie Huang & Kesong Hu, 2022. "Cognitive Defusion and Psychological Flexibility Predict Negative Body Image in the Chinese College Students: Evidence from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16519-:d:998058
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christoph Wallner & Svenja Kruber & Sulaiman Olanrewaju Adebayo & Olusola Ayandele & Hikari Namatame & Tosin Tunrayo Olonisakin & Peter O. Olapegba & Yoko Sawamiya & Tomohiro Suzuki & Yuko Yamamiya & , 2022. "Interethnic Influencing Factors Regarding Buttocks Body Image in Women from Nigeria, Germany, USA and Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-16, October.
    2. Brooke L. Bennett & Allison F. Wagner & Janet D. Latner, 2022. "Body Checking and Body Image Avoidance as Partial Mediators of the Relationship between Internalized Weight Bias and Body Dissatisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-8, August.
    3. Viren Swami & Ulrich Tran & Stefan Stieger & Martin Voracek, 2015. "Associations Between Women’s Body Image and Happiness: Results of the YouBeauty.com Body Image Survey (YBIS)," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 705-718, June.
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