From the challenges of self-acceptance to body positive movements: Body image in positive psychology

Abstract

Despite body image and self-image are basic determinants of our connections to ourselves and to the world, the earlier studies had focused mainly on negative body image. The positive body image, as an independent construct appeared with a relative delay also in positive psychology. The researches in recent years have proved that positive body image is not the mirroring of negative body image, but a unique and independent dimension. It is related to several factors influencing subjective well-being and other factors related to positive orientation. One of the emerging components is self-acceptance. The paper gives a summary about the international development of the body image concept and also explains how the positive body image construct represents the basic principle of positive psychology, that positivity is not a mere absence of disfunction or negative states. The questions and dilemmas of positive body image, related to control and autonomy, are vividly highlighted by the body positivity movement. This movement is a suitable case example to help us to think over some of the most important contemporary challenges of positive psychology both from the perspectives of theory and practice.