TY - JOUR
T1 - Enhancing body image in motherhood
T2 - A randomised controlled trial of Expand Your Horizon among mothers of young children
AU - Granfield, Philippa
AU - Kemps, Eva
AU - Yager, Zali
AU - Alleva, Jessica M.
AU - Prichard, Ivanka
PY - 2023/12
Y1 - 2023/12
N2 - Motherhood can increase vulnerability to body dissatisfaction, but positive body image interventions may mitigate this. Expand Your Horizon (Alleva et al., 2015), an online writing intervention, enhances functionality appreciation, an aspect of positive body image. The intervention's demonstrated efficacy and focus on body functionality indicate its potential use among mothers. However, its original 3-session format may be unfeasible for mothers alongside other commitments. Thus, we tested the impact of a single 15-minute Expand Your Horizon session on state body appreciation and functionality appreciation. Mothers (N = 143) of 0–10-year-olds were randomly allocated to either the intervention group, or an active control group. State body appreciation and functionality appreciation were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Trait self-compassion was tested as a potential moderator. Participants who completed Expand Your Horizon reported greater state body appreciation and functionality appreciation post-intervention than those in the control group. Self-compassion moderated the intervention's effect on state functionality appreciation, with effects strongest for those with lower levels of self-compassion. Overall, findings support the intervention's suitability for mothers, particularly those with low self-compassion. Practical implications include possibly tailoring Expand Your Horizon and similar interventions to benefit all mothers. Future research directions include longitudinal and qualitative designs, and extension to other specific populations.
AB - Motherhood can increase vulnerability to body dissatisfaction, but positive body image interventions may mitigate this. Expand Your Horizon (Alleva et al., 2015), an online writing intervention, enhances functionality appreciation, an aspect of positive body image. The intervention's demonstrated efficacy and focus on body functionality indicate its potential use among mothers. However, its original 3-session format may be unfeasible for mothers alongside other commitments. Thus, we tested the impact of a single 15-minute Expand Your Horizon session on state body appreciation and functionality appreciation. Mothers (N = 143) of 0–10-year-olds were randomly allocated to either the intervention group, or an active control group. State body appreciation and functionality appreciation were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Trait self-compassion was tested as a potential moderator. Participants who completed Expand Your Horizon reported greater state body appreciation and functionality appreciation post-intervention than those in the control group. Self-compassion moderated the intervention's effect on state functionality appreciation, with effects strongest for those with lower levels of self-compassion. Overall, findings support the intervention's suitability for mothers, particularly those with low self-compassion. Practical implications include possibly tailoring Expand Your Horizon and similar interventions to benefit all mothers. Future research directions include longitudinal and qualitative designs, and extension to other specific populations.
KW - Body appreciation
KW - Body functionality
KW - Functionality appreciation
KW - Motherhood
KW - Self-compassion
KW - Writing intervention
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85177853067&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.101648
DO - 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.101648
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85177853067
SN - 1740-1445
VL - 47
JO - Body Image
JF - Body Image
M1 - 101648
ER -