Enough is Enough: Development of the Enough is Enough Scale and a program to increase Enough is Enough among women with a negative body image

Abstract

Enough is Enough (EIE) is characterized by feeling fed up with negative body image and feeling determined to change one’s body image, and may play a crucial role in the transition from a negative body image toward a predominantly positive body image. Study 1 aimed to develop a quantitative measure of EIE. Based on data collected among 552 adults (18–69 years) across two samples, the 3-item EIE Scale demonstrated a unidimensional factor structure and good psychometric properties. Study 2 adopted a single case experimental design, and aimed to develop a program to increase EIE among five women who identified as having a negative body image. The findings support that the EIE program led to increased EIE, with medium-to-large effects. While the research line focused on EIE, as part of this, we also sought to understand its relationship with participants’ readiness to change, or stage of change (SOC), and whether the EIE program would lead to increased SOC and positive body image. Study 1 showed that EIE is positively associated with SOC, and EIE predicted SOC beyond the variance accounted for by body image (related) variables. Study 2 showed that the EIE program led to increased SOC and positive body image, with small-to-medium effects. Some participants experienced increased EIE but not SOC (and vice versa), pointing to differences between constructs. Understanding how to initiate EIE may increase the number of individuals with negative body image who are open to change and the chances of existing body image interventions being effective.