The Need to Present a Perfect Body Image: Development of a New Measure of Perfectionistic Self-Presentation

Abstract

Perfectionistic self-presentation is linked to different clinical conditions and especially to eating disorders. In fact, the role that the drive to reach "perfection" and display it to others plays on eating and body image-related symptoms has long been the target of theoretical and empirical interest. However, an instrument that specifically assessed the need to present a perfect body image to others did not exist. The current study presents the development and validation of the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale-Body Image (PSPS-BI), a measure designed to assess the need to present a perfect body image to others by displaying a flawless physical appearance and by occulting perceived imperfections in a public context. Three studies that included a total of 364 males and 541 females with ages between 18 to 38 years, were used to examine the scale's structure and psychometric properties. Results showed that PSPS-BI presents two factors that measure the concealment of body imperfections and the display of body perfection. PSPS-BI revealed good internal reliability and temporal stability. Also, the PSPS-BI revealed good concurrent validity, tested with measures of perfectionism, body image flexibility, and general and eating psychopathology. Furthermore, a mediational analysis indicated that the need to present a perfect body image to others fully mediates the relationship between a general measure of perfectionistic self-presentation and drive for thinness, in both men and women. PSPS-BI showed good preliminary evidence as a reliable and accurate measure, and seems to offer new possibilities to the research field of body image and eating-related difficulties.

Defensive Responses to Early Memories with Peers: a Possible Pathway to Disordered Eating

“…Furthermore, our results are in line with previous literature which revealed that submissiveness is associated with higher levels of disordered eating (e.g., Katzman, 1985; Troop & Treasure, 1997). Also, our findings seem to be in accordance with previous research (Ferreira, Duarte et al, 2015, manuscript submitted for publication; Ferreira, Trindade et al, 2015) by suggesting body-image related perfectionistic self-presentation as a maladaptive strategy, which may be linked to the adoption of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. Specifically, this study seems to extend previous knowledge since it revealed that perfectionistic self-presentation focused on body image acts as a mediator mechanism between submissiveness and eating psychopathology.…”

“…Given the historical relevance of the female body shape as a central domain in self and social evaluations (Gatward, 2007), the majority of women tend to invest in this dimension with the purpose of promoting attractiveness in the minds of others (Gilbert et al, 1995). However, such investment may demand extreme self-monitoring patterns and control over one’s body weight, shape, and eating behaviors, in order to reach the “perfect” physical appearance (Ferreira, Trindade, & Ornelas, 2015). The need to present one’s physical appearance in a perfectionistic way, conceptualized as body image-related perfectionistic self-presentation, has been associated with proneness to eating disorders, particularly to the increase of body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness (Ferreira, Duarte, Pinto-Gouveia, & Lopes, 2015, manuscript submitted for publication; Ferreira et al, 2015).…”

A comprehensive model of disordered eating among aesthetic athletic girls: Exploring the role of body image-related cognitive fusion and perfectionistic self- presentation

“…Since body image is an important issue in sports, especially in aesthetic sports, the need to present a perfect physical appearance seems to be particularly relevant in this context. According to Ferreira, Marta-Simões, and Trindade ( 2016 ), body image-related perfectionist self-presentation (defined as the need to present a perfect physical appearance to others) is positively linked with depressive symptomatology (Marta-Simões & Ferreira, 2016 ) and with disordered eating (Ferreira et al, 2016 ; Ferreira, Duarte, Pinto-Gouveia, & Lopes, 2018a , Ferreira, Mendes, & Trindade, 2018b ; Ferreira, Ornelas, & Trindade, 2015a , Ferreira, Trindade, Duarte, & Pinto-Gouveia, 2015b ). Nevertheless, body image-related perfectionist self-presentation remains unexplored in aesthetic athletes.…”

Exploring Drive for Thinness as a Perfectionistic Strategy to Escape from Shame Experiences

“…The same is to say that body shape is a dimension particularly used to obtain social attention and acceptance by others (Gilbert et al, 1995; Troop, Allan, Treasure, & Katzman, 2003). For that reason, body shape is currently overvalued in women’s social comparisons and in the establishment of their rank within the group (Buote et al, 2011; Ferreira, Pinto-Gouveia, & Duarte, 2013). Moreover, unfavorable comparisons based on physical appearance tend to trigger feelings of inferiority and unattractiveness, and, consequently, high levels of shame (Goss & Gilbert, 2002).…”

“…More specifically, studies have highlighted the positive relationship between strive for perfection, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating (e.g., Hewitt, Flett, & Ediger, 1995; McGee, Hewitt, Sherry, Parkin, & Flett, 2005). Furthermore, recent research demonstrated that perfectionistic self-presentation specifically related to body image is particularly present in women and is linked to increased body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness (Ferreira, Duarte, Pinto-Gouveia, & Lopes, 2013). However, although promising, studies in this particular domain are yet scarce.…”