EFFECTS OF BRIEF MINDFULNESS PRACTICES ON BODY IMAGE IN COLLEGE-AGED WOMEN

Previous research suggests a correlation between mindfulness and body image, but very little experimental research has been done to examine the differential effects that various mindfulness techniques can have on body image. 59 college-aged women were randomly assigned to complete either a loving-kindness meditation practice or a body scan meditation practice daily for one week. Body appreciation, body dissatisfaction, and appearance-contingent self-worth were assessed at baseline one week pre-intervention, on the first day of the intervention, and at post-intervention. State body image was assessed prior to and following each mindfulness practice. Qualitative data regarding comfort and satisfaction with the mindfulness practices was collected upon completion of the study. Body appreciation improved significantly more after a week of mindfulness practice than after a control week, but body dissatisfaction and appearance-contingent self-worth did not. Improvements in body appreciation were negatively correlated with baseline body appreciation. There were no significant differences in effects of mindfulness practice on outcome measures across experimental groups. Participants experienced significant increases in state body image after completing each mindfulness practice, but there were no differences in these increases across experimental groups. Overarching themes observed in qualitative response content are discussed.