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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
What is body neutrality and how is it different to existing body image concepts? An analysis of experts and general community responses
Body Image, Vol.51, pp.1-12
2024
PMID: 39146631
Appears in UniSC Supported Open Access Outputs
Abstract
There has been considerable recent interest in and reference to body neutrality, despite limited scholarship on differences from existing constructs. Our study examined perceptions of body neutrality in 229 individuals (researchers, clinicians, eating disorder lived experience, general community). Questions explored definitions of body neutrality, its similarity and differences to other concepts, perceived benefits and risks of adopting a body neutrality approach, and ratings on the usefulness of proposed components. Participants defined body neutrality as adopting an accepting, non-judgemental approach to one’s body, de-emphasising the importance of appearance, and viewing the body as a vessel that carries a person through life. Perceived benefits included it being more accessible than existing approaches and a useful coping strategy, while risks were that neutrality can be difficult to adopt in an appearance focused society and that it may prompt an apathetic response to self-care. Body neutrality was rated as conceptually similar to functionality appreciation, body acceptance, and body compassion, and definitions consistent with these terms were rated most favourably. Our findings show how body neutrality is perceived and used by experts and the general community. However, we question whether this conceptualisation is distinct from existing positive body image concepts.
Details
- Title
- What is body neutrality and how is it different to existing body image concepts? An analysis of experts and general community responses
- Authors
- Kate E. Mulgrew (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - PsychologyAngela Hinz (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Psychology
- Publication details
- Body Image, Vol.51, pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101780
- ISSN
- 1873-6807; 1740-1445
- PMID
- 39146631
- Copyright note
- © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- The authors do not have permission to share data.
- Organisation Unit
- Graduate Research School; Cancer Research Cluster; School of Health - Psychology
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991061496002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology, Clinical
- Psychology, Multidisciplinary
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Source: InCites