Clinician’s Digest: Clinically Oriented Article Summaries for Volume 10, Issue 1

Abstract

The Mediating Effects of Body Surveillance on Internalized Discriminations and Body Satisfaction in Plurisexual Women of Color by Z. A. Paul, 2023. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 10(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000488 Clinicians working with plurisexual women currently have little research upon which to base their conceptualizations and interventions, and even less guidance when it comes to plurisexual women of color. Paul provides valuable information to increase understanding of how internalized racism and internalized biphobia interact with body surveillance in experiences of body dissatisfaction. While body dissatisfaction is near ubiquitous in patriarchal Western culture, the nuances and complexity of these experiences must be explored and understood for therapists to effectively assist in heightening awareness of factors related to body dissatisfaction, and coping strategies to mitigate the daily impacts of cultural influence. Healthcare providers would do well to carefully assess vestiges of internalized “isms” in their various forms, help raise client awareness of these often unconscious beliefs and perceptions, and then assist clients in appreciating the psychological distress that is unintentionally created when cultural biases and stereotypes are unexamined. While Paul highlights the dearth of research on these factors, particularly for women of color, there is now some guidance on important considerations for our clinical work related to body dissatisfaction, particularly as mediated by body surveillance and the energy expended in this regard (and often reinforced through various cultural and social media). Thus, increasing client recognition and insight into the impact of internalized identity stressors, and the perhaps unintentional time and effort used in body surveillance, can allow for more intentional efforts toward body satisfaction and psychological well-being.