2016 Volume 42 Issue 2 Pages 225-235
The present research examined effects of cognitive-behavioral intervention for body dissatisfaction in young women. In Study 1, the cognitive-behavioral intervention group practiced compassionate thinking focusing on appearance-related beliefs. The results in the cognitive-behavioral intervention group were compared to those in an active-listening group that talked about one’s physical appearance without focusing on appearance-related beliefs and a control group that did not engage in either task. The results showed the greatest alleviation of state body dissatisfaction in the cognitive-behavioral intervention group. Study 2 developed a 4-week intervention program including homework for the cognitive-behavioral intervention group, in order to apply the findings of Study 1 to an actual counseling setting. The results demonstrated that the cognitive-behavioral intervention group tended to show a greater decrease in avoidance of social situations and a larger increase in subjective well-being than did the active-listening and control groups.
