title: The effects of psychoeducation and self-monitoring in a cognitive-behavioral program for body-image improvement.
abstract: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an efficacious treatment for body-image difficulties and disorders. The current study evaluated two combined components of Cash's (1997) self-administered body-image CBT program--psychoeducation and self-monitoring. Twenty-five body-dissatisfied college students enrolled in the three-week program and were required to hand in homework weekly in brief meetings with the experimenter. From pre- to posttest, participants became significantly more satisfied with their appearance and reported less situational body-image dysphoria, less weight-related concern, and less investment in their appearance as a source of self-evaluation. Changes generalized to improved self-esteem, eating attitudes, and social anxiety. Better self-monitoring compliance predicted greater reductions in body-image dysphoria. The study's methodological limitations and clinical implications are considered, and mechanisms of change are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529-0267, USA. TCash@odu.edu
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Cash
authors.forename: Joshua I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Hrabosky