Effect of Self-Compassion on Moderating Body Dissatisfaction

Abstract

Unreal or photo-shopped body image proposed by the media has been claimed to enhance body dissatisfaction. The main goal of this paper is to discuss whether self-compassion can improve the substantial body image dissatisfaction of western females. This paper provides a theoretical analysis based on previous research. It summarizes the previous research results showing that self-compassion can influence people’s attitudes and acceptance of stereotypes and analyzes how this influence, led by self-compassion, can help to improve body satisfaction and cope with eating disorders. The result is that self-compassion can moderate females’ body dissatisfaction by intensifying females’ body evaluation, enhancing their immunity to gender stereotypes, and coping with the disorders that reflect body dissatisfaction.