The ‘Zoom Effect’: Exploring the impact of video-calling on appearance dissatisfaction and interest in cosmetic treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni Pikoos ◽  
Simone Buzwell ◽  
Gemma Sharp ◽  
Susan Rossell
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Body Image Disturbance ◽  
Focused Attention ◽  
Virtual Age ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Video Manipulation ◽  
Call Usage ◽  
Video Calling ◽  
The Impact

The popularity of videoconferencing platforms has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, there have been concerns regarding the potential for video-calls to promote appearance dissatisfaction, as individuals are exposed to their reflection on camera for extended periods. The current study characterised current video-usage behaviours and their relationship with appearance dissatisfaction and interest in beauty procedures in the general population. An online survey was completed by 379 adults currently living in Australia. Multiple aspects of video usage were assessed, including engagement in ‘video-manipulation’ techniques to enhance appearance and the focus of visual attention while on video-calls (i.e. on self or others). The Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire was administered to determine if video-use behaviours were associated with greater body image disturbance. Over one-third of participants had identified new appearance concerns while on video. Dysmorphic concern was associated with self-focused attention, video manipulation behaviours and increasing appearance concerns. Individuals who identified new video-based appearance concerns reported greater interest in obtaining future beauty and cosmetic procedures. This is the first study to report the potential risks of video-call usage on body image and appearance dissatisfaction. Further research is needed to understand how best to mitigate these risks, as COVID-19 accelerates a virtual age of communication.

scholarly journals The Zoom Effect: Exploring the Impact of Video Calling on Appearance Dissatisfaction and Interest in Aesthetic Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni D Pikoos ◽  
Simone Buzwell ◽  
Gemma Sharp ◽  
Susan L Rossell
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Body Image Disturbance ◽  
Focused Attention ◽  
Video Manipulation ◽  
Video Use ◽  
Call Usage ◽  
Video Calling ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Aesthetic Procedures

Abstract Background The popularity of videoconferencing platforms has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, there have been concerns regarding the potential for video calls to promote appearance dissatisfaction, as individuals are exposed to their reflection on camera for extended periods. Objectives The current study characterized current video usage behaviors and their relationship with appearance dissatisfaction and interest in aesthetic procedures in the general population. Methods An online survey was completed by 335 adults currently living in Australia. Multiple aspects of video usage were assessed, including engagement in ‘video manipulation’ techniques to enhance appearance and the focus of visual attention while on video calls (ie, on self or others). The Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire was administered to determine if video use behaviors were associated with greater body image disturbance. Results Over 1/3 of participants had identified new appearance concerns while on video. Dysmorphic concern was associated with self-focused attention, greater engagement in video manipulation behaviors, and increasing appearance concerns due to their time on video calls. Individuals who identified new video-based appearance concerns reported greater interest in obtaining future beauty treatments (eg, waxing) and aesthetic procedures (eg, non-surgical procedures such as anti-wrinkle injections). Conclusions This is one of first empirical studies to report the potential consequences of video call usage for increasing appearance dissatisfaction and dysmorphic concern, and to demonstrate a link between the use of video calls and interest in cosmetic procedures.

scholarly journals Body Image Disturbance in Acromegaly Patients Compared to Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma Patients and Controls

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen M. Conaglen ◽  
Dennis de Jong ◽  
Veronica Crawford ◽  
Marianne S. Elston ◽  
John V. Conaglen
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Hormone Secretion ◽  
Growth Hormone Secretion ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Body Image Disturbance ◽  
Separate Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Purpose. Excess growth hormone secretion in adults results in acromegaly, a condition in which multiple physical changes occur including bony and soft tissue overgrowth. Over time these changes can markedly alter a person’s appearance. The aim of this study was to compare body image disturbance in patients with acromegaly to those with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs) and controls and assess the impact of obesity in these groups.Methods. A cross-sectional survey including quality of life, body image disturbance, anxiety and depression measures, growth hormone, and BMI measurement was carried out.Results. The groups did not differ with respect to body image disturbance. However separate analysis of obese participants demonstrated relationships between mood scales, body image disturbance, and pain issues, particularly for acromegaly patients.Conclusions. While the primary hypothesis that acromegaly might be associated with body image disturbance was not borne out, we have shown that obesity together with acromegaly and NFA can be associated with body image issues, suggesting that BMI rather than primary diagnosis might better indicate whether patients might experience body image disturbance problems.

Body Image Disturbance During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly C. Allison ◽  
David B. Sarwer
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Body Image Disturbance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Body Image Disturbances ◽  
History Of ◽  
Image Assessment ◽  
The Impact

Body image disturbances are common among women in the general population. Less is known about their prevalence and impact during pregnancy. This chapter examines the history of body image theory and research. Next, we examine issues related to body image during pregnancy, such as pregravid weight, gestational weight gain, and the unique ways women think about the changes to their body during pregnancy. The role of physical activity, mood, and eating disorders in relation to peripartum body image disturbance is also discussed. Finally, assessment of body image disturbance and existing treatments are presented. Future research is needed to develop peripartum-specific body image assessment tools and to assess the impact of psychosocial interventions during and after pregnancy on body image dissatisfaction.

scholarly journals The Impact of Externally Worn Diabetes Technology on Sexual Behavior and Activity, Body Image, and Anxiety in Type 1 Diabetes

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-308
Author(s):  
Courtney Robertson ◽  
Ashleigh Lin ◽  
Grant Smith ◽  
Anna Yeung ◽  
Penelope Strauss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Insertion Site ◽  
Glucose Monitoring ◽  
Technology Users ◽  
The Impact

Background: We aimed to explore the impact of externally worn diabetes technologies on sexual behavior and activity, body image, and anxiety in adopters and nonadopters of these devices. Methods: People with type 1 diabetes aged 16-60 years living in Western Australia were invited to complete an online survey. Results: Of the 289 respondents (mean age 34.3 years), 45% used continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and 35% used continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Approximately half of CSII users stated that the pump interferes with sex. Of these, 75% disconnect their pump during sexual activity to avoid this issue. Comfort during sex influenced the location of the CSII insertion site in 22% of respondents, with the abdomen being preferred. One in four non-CSII users cited sex-related concerns as a factor for not adopting the technology. CGM interfered with sexual activity in 20% of users, but did not commonly affect CGM placement (only 18%). Sexual activity was reported as a factor for not adopting the technology in 10% of non-CGM users. No differences in body dissatisfaction ( P = .514) or anxiety ( P = .304) between CSII and non-CSII users were observed. No differences in sexual activity and behavior between technology users and nontechnology users were observed. Conclusion: Wearable technologies impact upon sexual activity and this influences the decision to adopt the technology. Despite this, technology users are similar in terms of sexual behavior, anxiety, and body image compared to nontechnology users. Where appropriate, these data can be used to identify potential concerns, address strategies to mitigate them, and inform people with diabetes when considering adopting external technologies.

scholarly journals Anomalous self-experience, body image disturbance, and eating disorder symptomatology in first-onset anorexia nervosa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Moccia ◽  
Eliana Conte ◽  
Marianna Ambrosecchia ◽  
Delfina Janiri ◽  
Salvatore Di Pietro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Image Disturbance ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Eating Disorder Examination ◽  
First Onset ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Anorexia nervosa-restrictive subtype (AN-R) is a life-threatening disorder relying on behavioural abnormalities, such as excessive food restriction or exercise. Such abnormalities may be secondary to an “objectified” attitude toward body image and self. This is the first study exploring the impact of anomalous self-experience (ASEs) on abnormal body image attitude and eating disorder (ED) symptomatology in individuals with AN-R at onset. Methods We recruited Italian female participants, 40 with AN-R (mean age 18.3 ± 2.3) and 45 age and educational level-matched healthy controls (HCs) (mean age 18.2 ± 2.6). ASEs, body image attitude, and ED symptom severity were assessed through the examination of anomalous self-experience (EASE), the body uneasiness test (BUT), and the eating disorder examination questionnaire (EDE-Q), respectively. We conducted multivariate analysis of variance to investigate distribution patterns of variables of interest, and mediation analysis to test the effect of ASEs and body image on ED symptomatology. Results Individuals with AN-R scored higher than HCs on the EASE (p < .0001). A direct effect of ASEs on ED severity (p = 0.009; bootstrapped LLCI = 0.067, ULCI = 0.240) was found in AN-R. After modelling the effect of abnormal body image attitude, the relationship between EASE total score and ED symptomatology was significantly mediated by BUT (p = 0.002; bootstrapped LLCI = 0.001, ULCI = 0.172). Conclusion Although the exact pathways linking AN-R to self-disorder remain to be identified, a broader exploration of transdiagnostic features in AN, including explorations of different dimensions of self-experience and intersubjectivity, may shed further light on the clinical phenomenology of the disorder. Level of evidence Level III, case–control analytic study.

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