Body image is influenced by a variety of sources including sociocultural factors including parents, peers, media, familial factors and societal constructs (Hargreaves & Tiggeman, 2004). Negative body image is a risk factor for various types of emotional distress including low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and eating disturbances (Davidson & McCabe, 2006; Brausch & Gutierrez, 2009). The detriment toward a lack of positive body image spans race, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and cultural backgrounds (Spurgas, 2005). A positive body image provides a map for daughters to navigate negative messages perpetuated by the media and the ideal body type, or “thin ideal”, and critically examine those messages based on an independent internalized standard (Poulter & Treharne, 2020).
Research indicates a relationship between the actions of mothers and the development of body image of their daughters (Gil-Llari, 2019; Maor, 2016). Family dynamics, specifically the mother-daughter relationship play a crucial role with regard to developing a positive or negative body image and self-esteem (Borello, 2006). The role of mothers in the development of a daughter’s body image is especially important, as mothers often serve as role models in their daughter’s life (Vincent & McCabe, 2000). Both direct (deliberate body-related communication) and indirect (modeling behaviors) maternal influence affect the development of girls’ body satisfaction (Linville et al., 2011). Maternal modeling has been found to be more related to dieting behaviors than peer modeling especially among adolescent girls (Vincent & McCabe, 2000).
My aim is to expand on the current research and gather rich description on the experiences from a daughter’s perspective. Research postis the mother has influence on the daughter’s development of body image, but further exploration into the daughter’s perspective and experience of how her mother influenced her body image development is important. Much of the research focuses on adolescents, and this is a crucial time of body image development. Further understanding body image development from an adult daughter is valuable in understanding the impact and reflection at a different stage in the daughter’s life.
There are numerous studies indicating the many ways moms can negatively impact body image development of their daughters. Conversely, there are fewer studies indicating how mothers can provide protective factors to build resilience in their daughters, contributing to a positive body image. In a pilot research project several themes were identified that highlighted the absence of these protective factors, further supporting the case for education and programs to assist mothers in their effort to raise daughters who accept themselves as they are, regardless of their size, body type, look, or features.
Even when mothers report struggling with their own body image, if they are able to model how to care and embrace themselves, they can absolutely have a positive influence on their daughter’s body image development (McBride et al., 2017). Protective factors identified in the literature tie into the themes identified in the analysis of the data
Research indicates a relationship between the actions of mothers and the development of body image of their daughters (Gil-Llari, 2019; Maor, 2016). Family dynamics, specifically the mother-daughter relationship play a crucial role with regard to developing a positive or negative body image and self-esteem (Borello, 2006). The role of mothers in the development of a daughter’s body image is especially important, as mothers often serve as role models in their daughter’s life (Vincent & McCabe, 2000). Both direct (deliberate body-related communication) and indirect (modeling behaviors) maternal influence affect the development of girls’ body satisfaction (Linville et al., 2011). Maternal modeling has been found to be more related to dieting behaviors than peer modeling especially among adolescent girls (Vincent & McCabe, 2000).
My aim is to expand on the current research and gather rich description on the experiences from a daughter’s perspective. Research postis the mother has influence on the daughter’s development of body image, but further exploration into the daughter’s perspective and experience of how her mother influenced her body image development is important. Much of the research focuses on adolescents, and this is a crucial time of body image development. Further understanding body image development from an adult daughter is valuable in understanding the impact and reflection at a different stage in the daughter’s life.
There are numerous studies indicating the many ways moms can negatively impact body image development of their daughters. Conversely, there are fewer studies indicating how mothers can provide protective factors to build resilience in their daughters, contributing to a positive body image. In a pilot research project several themes were identified that highlighted the absence of these protective factors, further supporting the case for education and programs to assist mothers in their effort to raise daughters who accept themselves as they are, regardless of their size, body type, look, or features.
Even when mothers report struggling with their own body image, if they are able to model how to care and embrace themselves, they can absolutely have a positive influence on their daughter’s body image development (McBride et al., 2017). Protective factors identified in the literature tie into the themes identified in the analysis of the data
- Walking the talk. Mothers whose actions are congruent with what they say, develops trust between mother and daughter. This includes modeling healthy behaviors such as physical activity, intuitive eating, taking pleasure in food (Arroyo et al., 2020; Carbonneau et al., 2020; Maor & Cwikel, 2016).
- Giving yourself a break. Mothers positively impact daughters when openly practicing self-compassion, body-esteem and eating behaviors (Carbonneau et al., 2020).
- Appreciating your body and valuing bodies for strengths, capabilities, and non-appearance domains (McBride et al., 2017).
- Watch your talk. Moms can communicate positively with other family members, friends, when viewing social media, and only speaking positively about their own body, or say nothing at all (Arroyo et al., 2020).
- Teach critical thinking skills through critiquing media, societal standards, and gender inequality (Carbonneau et al., 2020).
- Stay connected. Moms can stay connected to their daughter through general attitudes of closeness, consistency and safety between the two of them (McBride, et al., 2020).
References
Arroyo, A., & Harwood, J. (2012). Exploring the Causes and Consequences of Engaging in Fat Talk. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 40(2), 167–187. https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2012.654500
Arroyo, A., Stillion Southard, B. A., Cohen, H., & Caban, S. (2020). Maternal Communication Strategies That Promote Body Image in Daughters. Communication research, 47(3), 402-427. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1177/0093650218781737
Borello, L. J. (2006). Mother may I? Food, power and control in mothers and daughters, M.A. thesis. Georgia State University, Georgia. https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/wsi_theses/6
Brausch, A. M., & Gutierrez, P. M. (2009). The role of body image and disordered eating as risk factors for depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 39(1), 58-71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/suli.2009.39.1.58
Carbonneau, N., Goodman, L. C., Roberts, L. T., Bégin, C., Lussier, Y., & Musher-Eizenman, D. R. (2020). A look at the intergenerational associations between self-compassion, body esteem, and emotional eating within dyads of mothers and their adult daughters. Body Image, 33, 106-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.02.007
Cordero, E. D., & Israel, T. (2009). Parents as Protective Factors in Eating Problems of College Women. Eat Disord, 17(2), 146-161. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1080/10640260802714639
Davison, T. E., & McCabe, M. P. (2006). Adolescent body image and psychosocial functioning. The Journal of Social Psychology, 146(1), 15-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.3200/SOCP.146.1.15-30
Gil-Llari, M. D., Muñoz, V., & Ceccato, R. (2019). Relationship between mothers’ thoughts and behaviors and their daughters’ development of the body image. Revista de psicología clínica con niños y adolescentes, 6(2), 30-35. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.21134/rpcna.2019.06.2.4
Hargreaves, D. A., & Tiggemann, M. (2004). Idealized media images and adolescent body image: “comparing” boys and girls. Body Image, 1(4), 351–361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2004.10.002
Linville, Stice, E., Gau, J., & O'Neil, M. (2011). Predictive effects of mother and peer influences on increases in adolescent eating disorder risk factors and symptoms: A 3-year longitudinal study. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 44(8), 745–751. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.20907
Maor, M., & Cwikel, J. (2016). Mothers’ strategies to strengthen their daughters’ body image. Feminism & psychology, 26(1), 11-29. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1177/0959353515592899
McBride, H. L., Kwee, J. L., & Buchanan, M. J. (2017). Women's Healthy Body Image and the Mother-Daughter Dyad/L'image du corps en sante chez la femme et la dyade mere-fille. Canadian journal of counselling and psychotherapy, 51(2), 97.
Poulter, P. I., & Treharne, G. J. (2020). “I’m actually pretty happy with how I am”: a mixed-methods study of young women with positive body image. Psychology & Health, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2020.1820008
Spurgas, A. K. (2005). Body Image and Cultural Background. Sociological Inquiry, 75(3), 297-316. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-682X.2005.00124.x
Tylka, T. L., & Wood-Barcalow, N. L. (2015). What is and what is not positive body image? Conceptual foundations and construct definition. Body Image, 14, 118-129. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.04.001
Vincent, & McCabe, M. P. (2000). Gender Differences Among Adolescents in Family, and Peer Influences on Body Dissatisfaction, Weight Loss, and Binge Eating Behaviors. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 29(2), 205–221. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005156616173
