Proposal for a Cognitive Reconstruction Program for Female College Students Experiencing Body Dissatisfaction

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop and implement a program based on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for female college students experiencing body dissatisfaction. To systematize the program development process, we adopted the service design method. First, we conducted In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) to identify the difficulties faced by six female college students who experience body dissatisfaction, and to determine what kind of help they needed. Second, content analysis of the findings revealed that female college students were experiencing emotional-behavior problems which derived from the discrepancy between their ideal body image and the reality. Third, a prototype of a cognitive reconstruction program was developed to help transform their perceived ‘body distortion’ to a rational cognitive concept and thus reduce maladaptive consequences of ‘body dissatisfaction’. The overall program consisted of three therapeutic components and seven steps. Fourth, to assess the effectiveness of the program, survey and IDIs were conducted. The results revealed that it is appropriate to use a cognitive model to solve problems caused by body dissatisfaction, and that understanding and reconstructing one's own cognitive processes can be effective in reducing body dissatisfaction. However, based on feedback from participants, a number of revisions were proposed, such as including sufficient induction regarding the behavioral change.