Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Tevreden met het uiterlijk, maar de perfectie lokt

  • Artikelen
  • Published:
Psychologie en Gezondheid

summary

Appearance satisfaction, but aspiring to perfection

Previous body image research has mainly focused on adolescent girls and female college students. However, few studies have examined body image in adulthood. This study sought to determine body image in adult men and women. Therefore, we examined multiple dimensions of body image. A sample of 36874 Dutch men and women ranging in age from 18 to 89 years completed a questionnaire assessing body image evaluation, body image perception, body importance, wish for cosmetic alteration and dieting behavior. With regard to the multiple dimensions of body image, we found that perceived discrepancy between actual body size and ideal body size and high body importance were common, especially among women. Positive body evaluation was also common, particularly among men. Furthermore, we found that the majority of adults had a wish for cosmetic alteration and almost half of them reported current dieting behavior. It was concluded that the men and women in this sample are in general satisfied with their appearance, but they keep on aspiring to their ideal body.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literatuur

  • Brown, T. A., Cash, T. F., & Mikulka, P. J. (1990). Attitudinal body-image assessment: factor analysis of the body-self relations questionnaire. Journal of Personality Assessment, 55, 135-144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bulik, C. M., Wade, T. D., Heath, A. C., Martin, N. G., Stunkard, A. J., & Eaves, L. J. (2001). Relating body mass index to figural stimuli: population-based normative data for Caucasians. International Journal of Obesity, 25, 1517–1524.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cash, T. F. (2000). Manual for the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (3rd rev.). Document online beschikbaar op de auteurswebsite http://www.body-images.com.

  • Cash, T. F. (2002). Cognitive–behavioural perspectives on body image. In T.F. Cash, & T. Pruzinsky (2002). Body image: A handbook of theory, research, and clinical practice (pp. 38–46). New York: Guilford.

  • Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (2008a). Bevolking; kerncijfers naar diverse kenmerken. Geraadpleegd op 16 september 2008, op http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?DM=SL NL&PA=37296NED&D1=0-51&D2=0,10,20,30,40,50,(l-1)-l&VW=T

  • Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (2008b). Kerkelijke gezindte en kerkbezoek; historie; 18 jaar of ouder. Geraadpleegd op 16 september 2008, op http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/ publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=37944&D1=0&D2=(l-11) l&VW=T

  • Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (2006). Beroepsbevolking naar onderwijsniveau /-richting. Geraadpleegd op 18 september 2008, op http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?DM =SLNL&PA=70896NED&D1=0-1&D2=0&D3=0&D4=0&D5=0-4&D6=l&VW=T

  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

  • Davison, T. E., & McCabe, M. P. (2005). Relationships between men’s and women’s body image and their psychological, social, and sexual functioning. Sex Roles, 52, 463-475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Demarest, J., & Allen, R. (2000). Body image: Gender, ethnic, and age differences. The Journal of Social Psychology, 140, 465-472.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eysenbach, G. & Wyatt, J. (2002). Using the internet for surveys and health research. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 4, article e13. Retrieved September 16, 2008 from http:// www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov.proxy.library.uu.nl/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1761932#id333189.

  • Engstrom, J. L., Paterson, S. A., Doherty, A., Trabulsi, M., & Speer, K. L. (2003). Accuracy of self-reported height and weight in women: an integrative review of the literature. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 48 , 338-345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fallon, A. E., & Rozin, P. (1985). Sex differences in perceptions of desirable body shape. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 94, 102-105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feingold, A., & Mazzella, R. (1998). Gender differences in body image are increasing. Psychological Science, 9, 190–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, S. P, & Pritchard, M. E. (2003). Predictors of body image dissatisfaction in adult men and women. Social Behavior and Personality, 31, 215-222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kostanski, M., Fisher, A., & Gullone, M. (2004). Conceptualising body image dissatisfaction: Have we got it wrong? The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 45, 1317–1325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kostanski, M., & Gullone, E. (2007). The impact of teasing on children's body image. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 16, 307-319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowe, M. R., Whitlow, J. W., & Bellwoar, W. (1991). Eating regulation: The role of restraint, dieting, and weight. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 10, 461–471.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markey, C. N., & Markey, P. M. (2005). Relations between body image and dieting behaviors: An examination of gender differences. Sex Roles, 53, 519-530.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCabe, M. P., & Ricciardelli, L. A. (2004). Body image dissatisfaction among males across the lifespan: A review of past literature. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 56, 675-685.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, T.G., Kalin, R., & Morrison, M. A. (2004). Body image evaluation and body image investment among adolescents: A test of sociocultural and social comparison theories. Adolescence, 159, 571-592.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muth, J. L., & Cash, T. F. (1997). Body–image attitudes: What difference does gender make? Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 27, 1438-1452.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olmsted, M.P., & McFarlane, T. (2004). Body weight and body image. BMC Women’s Health, 4, S5.

  • Perez, M., & Joiner, T. E. (2002). Body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating in black and white women. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 33, 342-350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raudenbush, B., & Zellner, D. A. (1997). Nobody’s satisfied: Effects of abnormal behaviors and actual perceived weight status on body image satisfaction in males and females. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 16, 95-110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardelli, L. A., & McCabe, M. P. (2001). Dietary restraint and negative affect as mediators of body dissatisfaction and bulimic behavior in adolescent girls and boys. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 39, 1317–1328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rusticus, S. A., & Hubley, A. M. (2006). Measurement invariance of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire: Can we compare across age and gender? Sex Roles, 55, 827-842.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silberstein, L., Striegel-Moore, R. H., Timko, C., & Rodin, J. (1988). Behavioral and psychological implications of body dissatisfaction: Do men and women differ? Sex Roles, 19, 219–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stunkard, A. J., Sorenson, T., & Schulsinger, F. (1983). Use of the Danish adoption register for the study of obesity and thinness. In S. Kety, L.P. Rowland, R.L. Sidman, & S.W. Matthysse (Eds.). The Genetics of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders (pp.115-120). New York: Raven Press.

  • Taylor, A. W., Dal Grande, E., Gill, T. K., Chittleborough, C. R., Wilson, D. H., Adams, R. J., Grant, J. F., Phillips, P., Appleton, S., & Ruffin, R. E. (2006). How valid are self-reported height and weight? A comparison between CATI self-report and clinic measurements using a large cohort study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 30, 238-246.

  • Thompson, J. K. (2004). The (mis)measurement of body image: ten strategies to improve assessment for applied and research purposes. Body Image, 1, 7–14.

  • Tiggemann, M. (2004). Body image across the adult life span: stability and change. Body Image, 1, 29–41.

  • Tiggemann, M. (2005). Television and adolescent body image: The role of program content and viewing motivation. Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, 24, 361–381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiggemann, M., & Lynch, J. E. (2001). Body image across the life span in adult women: The role of self-objectification. Developmental Psychology, 37, 243-253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voedingscentrum (2008). De Body Mass Index. Laatst geraadpleegd op 17 juli 2008 op http://www.voedingscentrum.nl/EtenEnGezondheid/Gewicht/gezond+gewicht/body+mass+index.htm.

  • Webster, J., & Tiggemann, M. (2003). The relationship between women's body satisfaction and self-image across the life span: The role of cognitive control. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 164, 241-252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woertman, L. (1994). Beelden van een lichaam. Mentale representaties van lichaamsbeelden. Lisse: Swets & Zeitlinger.

  • Woertman & L., Brink, F. van den (2008). Measuring weight dissatisfaction in Dutch adolescent girls and young women. Manuscript aangeboden voor publicatie.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. www.bsl.nl/shop/psychologie-gezondheid-1873-1791.html

    Liesbeth Woertman

Authors
  1. Liesbeth Woertman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Femke van den Brink
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Liesbeth Woertman.

Additional information

De auteurs zijn verbonden aan het Departement Klinische en Gezondheidspsychologie van de Universiteit UtrechtCorrespondentieadres: Dr. Liesbeth Woertman, Departement Klinische en Gezondheidspsychologie, Universiteit Utrecht, Postbus 30.140, 5508 TC Utrecht.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Woertman, L., van den Brink, F. Tevreden met het uiterlijk, maar de perfectie lokt. PSEG 36, 262–271 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03077514

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03077514

Search

Navigation