title: Self-imagery in individuals with high body dissatisfaction: the effect of positive and negative self-imagery on aspects of the self-concept.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cognitive behavioural models of eating disorders highlight low self-esteem as a maintaining factor. This study explored the impact of positive and negative self-imagery on aspects of the working self (implicit and explicit self-esteem and self-concept clarity) in individuals with high body dissatisfaction (an important aspect of eating disorders). The impact of these images on state body satisfaction and affect was also explored.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of participants with high body dissatisfaction completed measures of explicit self-esteem, self-concept clarity, state body satisfaction and affect prior to completing a negative (n = 33) or positive (n = 33) self-imagery retrieval task. Following this they completed the baseline measures and a measure of implicit self-esteem.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Holding a negative self-image in mind had a negative effect on explicit self-esteem, whilst holding a positive self-image had a beneficial effect. There were no effects of imagery on implicit self-esteem. Holding a negative image in mind led to a significant reduction in self-concept clarity; however, positive self-imagery did not affect self-concept clarity. Holding a negative self-image in mind led to a decrease in body satisfaction and state affect. The opposite was found for the positive self-imagery group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implicit self-esteem was not measured at baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Imagery techniques which promote positive self-images may help improve aspects of the working self, body satisfaction and affect in individuals with high levels of body dissatisfaction. As such, these imagery techniques warrant further investigation in a clinical population.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology Programme, Psychology Academic Unit, University of Southampton, Shackleton Building (44a), Highfield Campus, Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1BJ, UK. Electronic address: steph_farrar16@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farrar
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology Programme, Psychology Academic Unit, University of Southampton, Shackleton Building (44a), Highfield Campus, Southampton, Hampshire SO17 1BJ, UK.
authors.forename: Lusia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stopa
authors.affiliation: Eating Disorders Service, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, April House, 9 Bath Road, Bitterne, Southampton, Hampshire, SO19 5ES, UK.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001824:Body Constitution; D001828:Body Image; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Body dissatisfaction; Explicit self-esteem; Implicit self-esteem; Self-concept clarity; Self-imagery