Relationships that Cultivate Positive Body Image Through Body Acceptance

Abstract

This chapter sets out to review the research and theory on body acceptance by significant others as an interpersonal factor promoting positive body image. Overall, the review finds that supportive and accepting relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners are critical to women’s positive body image throughout the life span and across many different contexts. This has significant implications not only for interventions aimed at promoting positive body image but also for those aimed at preventing or treating negative body image. Nevertheless, more sophisticated longitudinal and experimental research strategies are required to detail the processes underlying the link from the perception of body acceptance by others to one’s own positive body image.