A new study from the University of Waterloo looks at how our relationships impact body image.
Researchers asked young women to share their thoughts on their bodies by answering questions about 10 different personal relationships. Participants were also asked whether their perspectives changed around different people, including friends and family.
According to a release, researchers found acceptance from others, along with how other people perceive their bodies, led to better body image within participants.
“It is important to know whether body image changes across relationships because body image is a key predictor of self-esteem in women,” said Sydney Waring, a PhD candidate in psychology at Waterloo, and the lead author of the study on relational body image, in the release. “More positive body image also improves mental health outcomes and a person’s quality of life.”
Not only did researchers learn how relationships affect body image, they also found that relationships can affect a person's eating habits.
Participants reported having a healthier body image and eating habits with others who they believed to be accepting of their body, were less preoccupied with body image, or who were a similar size to them.
“We are trying to help people give thought to the different people they are interacting with and how other people may affect the way they feel towards themselves,” said Allison Kelly, a professor of Psychology at Waterloo, and senior author of this study, in the release. “The findings also suggest that our qualities and behaviours could have an impact on the body image of the people around us.”
