Using written reflection to encourage positive body image in college women

Background: Women contend daily with the cultural burdens of ideal body image and need to cultivate the ability to make healthy self-care choices. Objective: To understand the impact of written reflection on female college students' attitudes about body image and their strategies for promoting a healthy body image. Methods: Qualitative analysis of response papers asking students to reflect on ways to encourage positive body image for themselves and others and quantitative analysis of pre- and post-test scores of two body image scales in women's health courses were conducted. Results: Content analysis of student response papers focusing on self-efficacy and external vs. internal solutions for modifying body concept highlighted barriers to fostering a healthy body image as well as strategies to address these perceived obstacles. A majority of the essays used a tone of hope, using phrases such as “I am,” embodying their desire to achieve their goals (74%). Others seemed less resolved in their optimism, using more “I should” statements while being self-critical (26%). In 14 weeks, “average appearance evaluation” scores changed from 3.07±0.87 to 3.29±0.77 indicating the mean body appearance satisfaction increased. “Appearance orientation,” a measure used to indicate an individual's concern about how others view their body, decreased from 3.27±0.69 to 2.89±0.60 suggesting that on average the women placed less importance upon appearance at the end of the course. Conclusion: A written reflection on ways to encourage positive body image in the context of a college class may improve individuals' body image.