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The Role of Body Image in the Prediction of Life Satisfaction and Flourishing in Men and Women

Author

Listed:
  • Leanne L. Davis

    (University of New Brunswick Saint John
    Saint John Regional Hospital)

  • Samantha A. Fowler

    (University of New Brunswick Saint John
    Saint John Regional Hospital)

  • Lisa A. Best

    (University of New Brunswick Saint John)

  • Lilly E. Both

    (University of New Brunswick Saint John)

Abstract

Body dissatisfaction and appreciation are associated with personality factors and health outcomes in men and women. However, given that personality traits are well-established predictors of subjective well-being, it is important to control for their effects in prediction models. In the present study, it was hypothesized that body dissatisfaction and body appreciation significantly predict life satisfaction and flourishing above and beyond the influences of age, BMI, and personality factors. To test this hypothesis, an online sample of 112 male and 336 female adults completed measures assessing life satisfaction, flourishing, body dissatisfaction, body appreciation, and personality. The analyses demonstrated that women reported significantly greater body dissatisfaction, Neuroticism, Extraversion and Conscientiousness than men; however, there were no gender differences in body appreciation or the measures of well-being. Results of several hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that, once the effects of age, BMI, and personality were accounted for, body appreciation significantly predicted both life satisfaction and flourishing in men and women. Body dissatisfaction did not appear to withstand the regression tests, emerging as a statistically significant predictor of life satisfaction in women only. Further, the size of the coefficient was not as large as those of the other regressors, suggesting it was not as influential in the prediction of life satisfaction. These results have important implications for the promotion of well-being. Fostering body appreciation may promote individuals’ satisfaction with their lives and enhance levels of self-perceived success.

Suggested Citation

  • Leanne L. Davis & Samantha A. Fowler & Lisa A. Best & Lilly E. Both, 2020. "The Role of Body Image in the Prediction of Life Satisfaction and Flourishing in Men and Women," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 505-524, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00093-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00093-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. Corey Keyes & Kenneth Kendler & John Myers & Chris Martin, 2015. "The Genetic Overlap and Distinctiveness of Flourishing and the Big Five Personality Traits," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 655-668, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kamila Czepczor-Bernat & Justyna Modrzejewska & Adriana Modrzejewska & Viren Swami, 2022. "The Impact of a Woodland Walk on Body Image: A Field Experiment and an Assessment of Dispositional and Environmental Determinants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Chen, Gui & He, Jinbo & Cai, Zhihui & Fan, Xitao, 2020. "Perceived parenting styles and body appreciation among Chinese adolescents: Exploring the mediating roles of dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    3. Chris Sakellariou, 2023. "The Effect of Body Image Perceptions on Life Satisfaction and Emotional Wellbeing of Adolescent Students:," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(4), pages 1679-1708, August.

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