Promoting a Resistant Stance Toward Media Images

Mass media images both reflect and transmit sociocultural norms and stereotypes about the body, such as appearance standards;, and skills of resistance are needed to counteract adverse effects. This chapter summarizes key findings on media exposure in children and youth, effects on body image, and resistance to those effects. It also explores the role of positive body image and embodiment and the emerging role of positive emotions and rest in strengthening capacity for resilience. The construct resilience and the metaphor resistance are discussed in light of the need to replace body-objectifying cognitive schemas with new body-protective schemas, metaphors, and constructs better aligned with positive embodiment and flourishing. The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions and objectification theory are used as frameworks to discuss connections between resistance and resilience toward harmful media images and messages, positive emotions, and positive body image and embodiment. Implications for prevention and future research are discussed.