Self-compassion, body image, and disordered eating: A review of the literature

Braun, Tosca D.; Park, Crystal L.; Gorin, Amy A.

doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.03.003

Cited by 279 publications

(212 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…In contrast to self-criticism, being self-kind, self-compassionate and able to reassure the self when things go wrong seem to be crucial psychological processes that protect against disordered eating (see Braun, Park, & Gorin, 2016, for a review). Some evidence suggests that self-compassion negatively predicts eating disorders symptoms (Geller, Srikameswaran, & Zelichowska, 2015;Kelly, Vimalakanthan, & Carter, 2014;Taylor, Daiss, & Krietsch, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Finding the link between internalized weight-stigma and binge eating behaviors in Portuguese adult women with overweight and obesity: The mediator role of self-criticism and self-reassurance

et al. 2017

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Literature has emphasized the negative role of internalized self-stigma in unhealthy eating behaviors in individuals with overweight and obesity. Still, less is known about the psychological processes that mediate this relationship. Self-criticism and the inability to reassure the self are considered to play crucial roles on eating behaviors. This study aims to: 1) explore the associations between BMI, weight self-stigma, self-criticism, self-reassurance and binge-eating; 2) explore differences in weight self-stigma and self-criticism tendencies between women with and without Binge Eating Disorder (BED); 3) test the mediator effect of selfcriticism and self-reassurance on the relationship between weight self-stigma and binge-eating severity. Participants were 125 Portuguese adult women with overweight and obesity (MBMI= 34.44; SD =5.51). Participants were weighted and completed a set of self-report measures. BED was assessed through a clinical structured interview. Results showed that women with BED display higher levels of weight self-stigma and self-criticism and lower tendencies to be selfreassuring, than women without BED. Additionally, the mediation model tested indicated that the effect of weight self-stigma on binge eating severity was in part partially mediated by a selfto-self-relationship that is critical, harsh and punitive and by a decreased ability to be reassuring when facing setbacks. Overall, the model accounted for 45% of binge eating symptoms severity. These findings may inform clinical practice with clients who present high levels of weight selfstigma. Results suggest the relevance of targeting self-criticism and promoting a self-to-self relationship that is caring and reassuring, as a way of diminishing binge eating behaviors.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Finding the link between internalized weight-stigma and binge eating behaviors in Portuguese adult women with overweight and obesity: The mediator role of self-criticism and self-reassurance

et al. 2017

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“…A small body of emerging research has started to explore the relationship between self-compassion and body image, finding support for the role of self-compassion as a protective factor (Braun, Park, & Gorin, 2016). Two of the main pathways for this protective factor that have been considered include (1) that self-compassion may have a direct relationship with positive body image, in that it increases positive thoughts about and acceptance of one’s appearance, and (2) that self-compassion may buffer against the effects of risk factors, such as appearance comparison, on body image.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two of the main pathways for this protective factor that have been considered include (1) that self-compassion may have a direct relationship with positive body image, in that it increases positive thoughts about and acceptance of one’s appearance, and (2) that self-compassion may buffer against the effects of risk factors, such as appearance comparison, on body image. As the majority of the research to date has been cross-sectional, unsurprisingly, evidence to support both of these mechanisms has been found (Braun et al, 2016). …”

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confidence: 99%

Body image in emerging adults: The protective role of self-compassion

et al. 2017

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Self-compassion is thought to protect from body image concerns. However, the mechanisms of this effect remain unclear. This study examined three positive dimensions of self-compassion as moderators of the mediated relationship between perceived overweight status, appearance comparison, and appearance esteem. A sample of 232 youth aged 13–18 years, mean = 18.36 (1.5) years, reported on appearance esteem, appearance comparison, perceived weight status, and self-compassion dimensions including self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Among boys, mindfulness and common humanity moderated the perceived weight status to appearance comparison pathway of the mediation (ps = .01), such that this relationship was weaker among boys with higher levels of these dimensions of self-compassion. These findings were not replicated among girls. None of the self-compassion dimensions moderated the appearance comparison to appearance esteem pathway. Self-compassion dimensions that decrease the focus on the self may protect against body image concerns among boys.

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“…Evidence suggest that self-compassion may be linked to eating pathology in multiple ways (Braun, Park, & Gorin, 2016). Self-compassion has been found to mediate the relationship between BMI, shame, body dissatisfaction and body image-related unfavorable social comparisons and eating psychopathological symptoms and quality-of-life in females from clinical and non-clinical samples (e.g., Duarte, Ferreira, Trindade, & Pnto-Gouveia, 2015;Ferreira, PintoGouveia, & Duarte, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of self-disgust in eating psychopathology in overweight and obesity: Can self-compassion be useful?

2017

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This study explores the relationship between self-disgust and eating psychopathology and whether self-compassion plays a mediator role on this relationship. Participants were 203 adults, from both genders, with overweight and obesity (MBMI = 31.17, SD = 5.43). Women reported higher levels of self-disgust and eating psychopathology and lower levels of self-compassion than men. Path analysis' results suggested that the effect of self-disgust on eating psychopathology occurred partially through one's inability to be self-compassionate. Results highlight the damaging role of self-disgust on eating psychopathology and the importance of developing a more compassionate attitude towards the self to promote healthy eating behaviors.

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Self-compassion, body image, and disordered eating: A review of the literature

Cited by 279 publications

References 62 publications

Finding the link between internalized weight-stigma and binge eating behaviors in Portuguese adult women with overweight and obesity: The mediator role of self-criticism and self-reassurance

Finding the link between internalized weight-stigma and binge eating behaviors in Portuguese adult women with overweight and obesity: The mediator role of self-criticism and self-reassurance

Body image in emerging adults: The protective role of self-compassion

The role of self-disgust in eating psychopathology in overweight and obesity: Can self-compassion be useful?

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