A pilot controlled trial of a cognitive dissonance-based body dissatisfaction intervention with young British men

Jankowski, Glen; Diedrichs, Phillippa C; Atkinson, Melissa J.; Fawkner, Helen; Gough, Brendan; Halliwell, Emma

Abstract

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd This pilot study evaluated a body image intervention for men, Body Project M. Seventy-four British undergraduate men took part in two 90-min intervention sessions, and completed standardised assessments of body image, bulimic pathology, and related outcomes at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Fifty-three other men completed the questionnaires as an assessment-only control group. Per-protocol analysis showed that Body Project M improved men's dissatisfaction with body fat and muscularity, body appreciation, muscularity enhancing behaviours, appearance comparisons, and internalization (ds = 0.46–0.80) at post-intervention. All except dissatisfaction with muscularity and internalization were sustained at 3-month follow-up. No effects were found for bulimic pathology. Post-intervention effects for dissatisfaction with muscularity and internalization only were retained under intention-to-treat analysis. Participants were favourable towards the intervention. This study provides preliminary evidence for the acceptability and post-intervention efficacy of Body Project M. Further development of the intervention is required to improve and sustain effects.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 18, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Sep 14, 2017
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Nov 13, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 14, 2019
• Journal: Body Image
• Print ISSN: 1740-1445
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Pages: 93-102
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.08.006
• Keywords: men, body image, intervention, cognitive dissonance
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/877718
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.08.006
• Contract Date: Nov 13, 2017