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.

Citation

Jankowski, G., Diedrichs, P. C., Atkinson, M. J., Fawkner, H., Gough, B., & Halliwell, E. (2017). A pilot controlled trial of a cognitive dissonance-based body dissatisfaction intervention with young British men. Body Image, 23, 93-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.08.006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 18, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Sep 14, 2017
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2017
• 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