Body image research since its beginning has focused on pathological states such as concerns, fixations, and disturbances in body image. It was not until relatively recently in 2010 that positive body image came under attention. Research since that time points to the notion that awareness and acceptance of one’s body is an essential aspect of achieving a positive state of body image health (Sandoz et al., 2019). One important aspect which has emerged from this research is the crucial distinction between the states of body image flexibility (BIF) and body image inflexibility (BII). This blog-lectures examines both conditions in further detail.
Body Image Flexibility
BIF is defined as the “ability for one to openly experience thoughts or feelings about the body without acting on them, or trying to avoid/change them.” BIF is an extension of the concept of psychological flexibility, or the ability to recognize and adapt to different situational demands. Body image flexibility relates to increased psychological flexibility, decreased body image dissatisfaction, and less disordered eating (Sandoz et al., 2013).
Linardon et al. (2021) performed the first meta-analysis of studies on body image flexibility and its correlates. The results from 62 studies were divided into three categories: (a) eating and body image disturbances, (b) positive body-related and general psychological constructs, and (c) general psychopathology. BIF was negatively correlated with eating and body image disturbances and general psychological disturbances. BIF positively correlated with positive psychological traits. A gender difference was found in that men report higher levels of BIF than do women.
Body Image Inflexibility
The psychological inflexibility model asserts that some people will actively avoid or suppress negative thoughts and feelings about their bodies. Psychological inflexibility limits the behavioral options open to a person because its purpose is to avoid painful experiences and upsetting emotions (Bond et al., 2011, Hayes et al., 2011).This form of denial may offer short-term relief, but it does not eliminate the disturbing thoughts and feelings maintains that, more often than not, he will work to eliminate those thoughts or feelings (Cash et al., 2005; Wenzlaff & Wegner, 2000). In fact, avoidance behaviors may over time actually increase the body image disturbance. Relatively short relief followed by the resurgence of such thoughts can result in ever-increasing and strengthening patterns of avoidance. (Callaghan et al., 2015). BII is found in distinctive thinking patterns used by people to alter incoming information using cognitive filters that protect a person’s body-ego. A study of people witnessing negative comments about the bodies of others found that when test subjects were asked to identify who the negative commented was directed, those with negative body image experienced the comments as being directed toward them (Dent & Martin, 2023).
Somatopsychic Interventions
Psychological inflexibility can be decreased by engaging a person׳s ability to be fully present in the here-and-now including disturbing thoughts and feelings (Blackledge & Hayes, 2001; Bond et al., 2011; Hayes et al., 2011). There are a handful of somatopsychic treatment methods that could be applied to body image inflexibility such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness Meditation. ACT has been successfully applied to a variety of forms of human suffering including psychological disorders, physical maladies, and other areas of disturbed functioning (Hayes et al., 2011). ACT and other treatments for body image disturbance help reduce psychological inflexibility by:
- Increasing the acceptance of disturbing thoughts and feelings about the body.
- Supporting the exploration and appreciation for what a person finds most meaningful even in the midst of body unhappiness.
Closing Thoughts
Researchers believe BIF can be used as a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of body image disturbances (Sandoz et al., 2013; Webb et al., 2015). Related to BIF are the positive factors of body appreciation and body functionality (Avalos et al., 2005, Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015a; Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015b, Webb et al., 2015). A significant amount of evidence from different cultures shows that body appreciation leads to self-compassion, intuitive eating, optimism, life satisfaction, positive emotions, and healthy physical activity (Webb, 2015). When used together as a set of treatment tools, body appreciation and functionality lead to:
(a) accepting one’s body as it is including its flaws;
(b) attending to the body and its needs with unconditional love;
(c) broadening one’s personal view point as to what constitutes healthy and realistic standards of beauty;
(d) caring for body’s well-being via positive, healthy practices (Avalos et al., 2005; Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015a).
BIF is a positive aspect of body image, but is different from more established positive components such as body appreciation in that it is a well-known property of what are known as the new third-wave behavioral therapies such Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy (Hayes, 2004). In all, improving the flexibility of body image appears to be growing in importance in the fight against normative discontent and other forms of body image disturbance.
Paul Shane, Ph.D., LMT
Director, Academic Content
References
Avalos, L., Tylka, T., Wood-Barcalow, N. (2005). The body appreciation scale: development and psychometric evaluation. Body Image 2(3), p. 285–297.
Blackledge, J. & Hayes, S. (2001). Emotion regulation in acceptance and commitment therapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology 57(2), S243–S255.
Bond, F., Hayes, S., Baer, R., Carpenter, K., Guenole, N., Orcutt, H., Waltz, T., & Zettle, R. (2011). Preliminary psychometric properties of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II: A revised measure of psychological inflexibility and experiential avoidance. Behavior Therapy 42(4), p. 676–688.
Callaghan, G., Sandoz, E., Darrow, S., & Feeney, T. (2015). The Body Image Psychological Inflexibility Scale: Development and psychometric properties. Psychiatry Research 226(1), p. 45-52.
Dent, E. & Martin, A. (2023). Negative comments and social media: How cognitive biases relate to body image concerns. Body Image 46, p. 54-64.
Hayes, S. (2004). Acceptance and commitment therapy, relational frame theory, and the third wave of behavioral and cognitive therapies. Behavior Therapy 35, p. 639–665.
Hayes, S., Strosahl, K., & Wilson, K. (2011). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, 2nd Ed., New York, NY: Guilford Press,.
Linardon, J., Anderson, C., Messer, M., Rodgers, R., & Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M. (2021). Body image flexibility and its correlates: A meta-analysis. Body Image 37, p. 188-203.
Sandoz, E., Wilson, K., Merwin, R., et al. (2013). Assessment of body image flexibility: The Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science 2(1), p. 39-48.
Sandoz, E., Webb, J., Rogers, C., & Squyres, E. (2019). Body image flexibility. In T. Tylka & N. Piran (Eds.), Handbook of Positive Body Image and Embodiment: Constructs, Protective Factors, and Interventions. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, pp. 42–51.
Tylka, T. & Wood-Barcalow, N. (2015a). What is and what is not positive body image? Conceptual foundations and construct definition. Body Image 14, p. 118–129.
—– (2015b). The Body Appreciation Scale-2: Item refinement and psychometric evaluation. Body Image 12, p. 53–67.
Webb, J. (2015). Body image flexibility contributes to explaining the link between body dissatisfaction and body appreciation in White college-bound females. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science 4(3), p. 176-183.
Wenzlaff, R. & Wegner, D. (2000). Thought suppression. Annual Review of Psychology 51, p. 59–91.
Revised 05-02-24.