- UNC, Chapel Hill
- U. MN, Twin Cities
- Penn State U., University Park and Hershey Medical Center
- New York U.
- Florida State U.
NSF R&D in Psychology FY2017
say stop checking the mirror
Women worried about their appearance could boost their self image by reducing certain behaviors such as mirror checking, according to a new study by Florida State University researchers.
The research team found that women who reduced the number of times they checked or fixed their appearance showed substantial reductions in appearance concerns and other symptoms. Their findings were published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.
"We looked at the impact that reducing these behaviors had on broad appearance concerns," said Natalie Wilver, a graduate student in clinical psychology who led the study. "What we found was that, compared to a group that was not asked to change their behavior, limiting these behaviors lowered appearance concerns, body dissatisfaction, depression, social anxiety and maladaptive beliefs about appearance."
Researchers identified 14 different appearance-related behaviors, including closely examining one's skin, hair, upper body and lower body; covering up or camouflaging aspects of one's appearance; asking others to comment on appearance; and comparing appearance to others. Over a two-week period, participants received a daily text message reminding them to reduce how frequently they engage in these behaviors.