The relationship between social media use and pregnancy-related body image.

Background: Social media negatively affects body image, but few have investigated its impact on pregnancy-related body image. Pregnancy represents a vulnerable period for body image, and poor body image has negative implications for health.

Objectives: We aimed to (1) understand relations of social media and pregnancy-related body image variables, (2) examine differences in social media use and body image based on demographic characteristics, and (3) evaluate whether type of social media use (i.

An exploratory examination of medical and nursing students' intentions to discuss body image, weight, and eating disorders with their patients.

Background: Although many people have concerns about their body image, weight, and eating behaviors these issues are not usually discussed in a productive manner with medical providers. Thus, we examined nursing and medical students' willingness to discuss patients' weight, body image, and eating disorders and reasons why they may do so.

Method: One hundred and eighty-three nursing and medical students (M = 25.

Hormonal contraceptive use and women's well-being: links with body image, eating behavior, and sleep.

The goal of the current study was to examine associations between hormonal contraceptive use and indicators of well-being including body image, eating behavior, sleep and energy level. Drawing on a health protection framework, we expected that individuals who use hormonal contraceptives would be more attuned to health and report more positive health attitudes and behaviors on these dimensions. Undergraduate college women ( = 270;  = 19.

The effects of sleep on body image: examining the roles of depression, perceived stress, and anxiety.

Although health and wellness behaviors are associated with positive body image, research is limited regarding the relationship between sleep and positive body image. We propose that negative affective states may link sleep and body image. Specifically, we examined whether better sleep may relate to positive body image through reductions in negative affective experiences.

Understanding eating disorder symptoms in same-gender couples: social environmental factors.

Background: Sexual minority individuals are at disproportionately greater risk for eating disorders, yet little is known about the ways in which factors in the social environment relate to eating disorder symptoms in this population. Utilizing an ecological systems theory framework, we investigated the relative relationships of macro level (i.e.

The importance of sleep and parity in understanding changes in weight and breastfeeding behavior among postpartum women.

Background: Breastfeeding duration has been linked with the health of both women and their children, but research that considers women's weight change postpartum and practical factors that may impact their quality of life (i.e., sleep quantity, number of children) is limited.

Breastfeeding, body image, and weight control behavior among postpartum women.

The goal of this study was to examine breastfeeding behavior and attitudes as predictors of women's body image and weight control behavior. This study extends past research by focusing on positive body image variables including body appreciation and perceived body functionality. Women (N = 597) from the United States who had recently birthed biological babies ages 0-12 months participated in an online study.

Predictors of disordered weight loss behaviors among same-sex and opposite-sex romantic partners.

Although the majority of adults will attempt to lose weight at some point in their lives, most weight loss behaviors are ineffective and potentially harmful. Further, weight loss behaviors often closely resemble disordered eating, and include behaviors such as fasting and purging. The current study examined potential predictors of disordered approaches to weight loss in the context of same-sex and opposite-sex romantic partnerships by investigating participants' (n = 500, M = 29.

Feeling let down: An investigation of breastfeeding expectations, appreciation of body functionality, self-compassion, and depression symptoms.

Background: Public health efforts to promote breastfeeding have resulted in many women expecting to exclusively breastfeed their infants. Women who plan to exclusively breastfeed but are not able to do so may experience psychological distress, including poor body image and symptoms of depression.

Aim: We sought to investigate discrepancies between desired and actual breastfeeding behaviors, appreciation of the functionality of one's body, and self-compassion, in relation to symptoms of depression.

Body image, weight management behavior, and women's interest in cosmetic surgery.

In the current study, we examined body image and weight management behavior as potential factors associated with young women's interest in obtaining cosmetic surgery. Research focusing on objectification theory, problem behavior syndrome, and positive body image provide support for considering these factors as predictors of interest in cosmetic surgery. Female undergraduates ( = 170;  = 20.

A review of research linking body image and sexual well-being.

The link between body image and sexual well-being is intuitive and increasingly supported by psychological research: individuals, particularly women, with greater body satisfaction and body appreciation tend to report more positive sexual experiences. Although both perceptions of one's body and one's sexual life are central to most adults' experiences, this area of research has remained somewhat understudied. In this review, we discuss the findings that are available and suggest directions for future research and applied implications of this work.

Does "body talk" improve body satisfaction among same-sex couples?

Research suggests the important role of romantic partners in shaping how individuals feel about their bodies (e.g., Markey & Markey, 2013, 2014), but the processes that result in changes in body satisfaction within relationships have rarely been examined.

Body appreciation, anxiety, and depression among a racially diverse sample of women.

This study aims to explore correlates between body appreciation and mental health among a racially and ethnically diverse sample of adult women using validated measures. The sample included racially and ethnically diverse women ( = 497) from various socioeconomic levels. Linear regression results indicated that body appreciation was significantly and inversely associated with depression ( = -3.

Body appreciation, interest in cosmetic enhancements, and need for uniqueness among U.S. college students.

The aim of the current study was to examine associations between body appreciation and putative correlates that focus on self-enhancement and self-expression. Students (N=261; mean age=20.16years, SD=3.

Beauty and the burn: tanning and other appearance-altering attitudes and behaviors.

Tanning is often prompted by appearance concerns, yet little is known about associations between tanning and other appearance-altering behaviors. In the current study, we examined potential correlates of indoor and outdoor tanning that, like tanning, may enhance appearance but present health risks. College students (N = 284; Mage = 20.

Associations Between Body Appreciation and Comfort Communicating About Sex: A Brief Report.

Communicating about sex with potential or current sex partners can lead to many positive outcomes, including fewer unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Although body image is related to many sexual health behaviors, the association between positive body image and comfort communicating about sex is underexplored. The purpose of the current study is to better understand this relationship among a sample of 399 18- to 25-year-old college women.

Sex Rules: Emerging Adults' Perceptions of Gender's Impact on Sexuality.

Past research often explains gender differences in sexual behavior according to differences in social norms for men and women. Yet, individuals' perceptions and internalizations of current social norms are not well understood. This study aimed to examine emerging adults' perceptions of how being male or female impacts their sexuality and how their perceptions would differ if they were another gender.

Associations between positive body image and indicators of men's and women's mental and physical health.

Positive body image has been found to be associated with various beneficial health-related indicators among women. Yet, less is known about its health-related correlates among men. The goal of the current study was to examine associations between positive body image and various mental and physical health-related indicators in both men and women.

How Gendered Attitudes Relate to Women's and Men's Sexual Behaviors and Beliefs.

This study examines associations between endorsement of a sexual double standard, gender role attitudes, and sexual behaviors and beliefs. First year university students in the northeastern United States ( = 434; 52 % female; 33 % Black, 29 % Latino, 39 % White; ages 17-19) participated during their first year of college. Endorsement of a sexual double standard was associated with more conventionally gender-stereotyped sexual behaviors and beliefs, specifically, more sexual partners and fewer perceived barriers to condom use for young men, and more perceived barriers to condom use for young women.

Body image and HIV risk among college students.

Objectives: To focus on the role of sex, race/ethnicity, and body image in HIV-protective behaviors.

Methods: Undergraduates (N = 277; 53% women; M = 19.27 years old) from the United States completed a survey on HIV-related behaviors and body image (appearance orientation and appearance evaluation).

Wrinkles and sagging flesh: exploring transformations in women's sexual body image.

In American society, the sexually desirable woman is young and thin. Changes associated with aging such as wrinkled skin or weight gain often bring women further from societal ideals of attractiveness. As physical appearance is very much related to desirability, we explore sexual body image and the way that it changes as women age.

The role of body image and depression in tanning behaviors and attitudes.

In the current study, we examined correlates of tanning behaviors and attitudes. Undergraduates (N = 277; 53% female; average age = 19.27 years) completed measures of appearance orientation and appearance evaluation from the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and questions addressing tanning behaviors and attitudes.

Understanding men's body image in the context of their romantic relationships.

This study examined men's body image in the context of their romantic relationships. One hundred and four heterosexual romantic couples (N = 208 participants) completed measures assessing men's body image, perceptions of men's weight change, relationship length, and sexual intimacy. Men's height and weight were also measured.

An examination of dieting behaviors among adults: links with depression.

In the current study, we examined predictors of healthy and unhealthy dieting behaviors with the aim of examining whether or not weight control strategies are associated with depression. Men and women (N=198; M=24.80 years; 51% women) were recruited from a university campus and its surrounding community in the northeastern US.

The 'freshman 15': trends and predictors in a sample of multiethnic men and women.

This study focused on predictors of the 'freshman 15' phenomenon among university students. Participants (N=390) included men and women who identified as African American (32%), Latino American (27%), and European American (41%). Students gained on average 3.