How do you see me? Appearance commentary from partner, body image and couple satisfaction: an empirical study

Journal title PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE
Author/s Giulia Rosa Policardo, Camilla Matera, Amanda Nerini, Cristina Stefanile
Publishing Year 2018 Issue 2018/2
Language Italian Pages 21 P. 137-157 File size 373 KB
DOI 10.3280/PDS2018-002011
DOI is like a bar code for intellectual property: to have more infomation click here

Below, you can see the article first page

If you want to buy this article in PDF format, you can do it, following the instructions to buy download credits

Article preview

FrancoAngeli is member of Publishers International Linking Association, Inc (PILA), a not-for-profit association which run the CrossRef service enabling links to and from online scholarly content.

The present research aims to investigate the relationship between positive and negative comments about general appearance and weight received by the partner, couple satisfaction and individual body dissatisfaction. 82 heterosexual couples were given a questionnaire designed to measure the examined variables. The research hypotheses were tested through a series of path analyses based on the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, in order to capture reciprocal influences between partners. In both partners, to receive positive comments about weight is associated with lower body dissatisfaction. Negative comments about weight and shape received by women are associated with their male partner’s body dissatisfaction. With respect to couple satisfaction, comments about general appearance received by each partner are associated with dyadic satisfaction, perception of comprehension and esteem, and relational communication reported by the partner who receives them. For self-disclosure this effect is significant only among women; among men comments on general appearance are associated with higher self-disclosure reported by their female partner. From a practical point of view these results suggest that interventions aimed to enhance couple satisfaction could be directed to improve partner communication also with respect to appearance. Moreover, interventions designed to reduce body dissatisfaction in both genders should consider the role of the partner as a significant source of influence.

Keywords: Appearance commentary, partner, couple satisfaction, body image, gender, couple relationship

  1. Ambwani S. and Strauss J. (2007). Love thyself before loving others? A qualitative and quantitative analysis of gender differences in body image and romantic love. Sex Roles, 56 (1-2): 13-21.
  2. Arcelus J., Yates A. and Whiteley R. (2012). Romantic relationships, clinical and sub-clinical eating disorders: A review of the literature. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 27 (2): 147-161. DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2012.69609
  3. Bailey S.D. and Ricciardelli L. A. (2010). Social comparisons, appearance related comments, contingent self-esteem and their relationships with body dissatisfaction and eating disturbance among women. Eating Behaviors, 11(2): 107-112.
  4. Bove C.F. and Sobal J. (2011). Body weight relationships in early marriage. Weight relevance, weight comparisons, and weight talk. Appetite, 57 (3): 729-742.
  5. Boyes A.D. and Latner J.D. (2009). Weight stigma in existing romantic relationships. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 35: 282-293. DOI: 10.1080/0092623090285128
  6. Calogero R.M., Herbozo S. and Thompson J.K. (2009). Complimentary weightism: The potential costs of appearance‐related commentary for women’s self‐objectification.Psychology of Women Quarterly, 33 (1): 120-132.
  7. Campbell L., Lackenbauer S.D. and Muise A. (2006). When is being known or adored by romantic partners most beneficial? Self-perceptions, relationship length, and responses to partner’s verifying and enhancing appraisals. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32: 1283-1294. DOI: 10.1177/014616720629038
  8. Carriere L.J. and Kluck A.S. (2014). Appearance commentary from romantic partners: Evaluation of an adapted measure. Body Image, 11: 137-145.
  9. Dowson J. and Henderson L. (2001). The validity of a short version of the Body Shape Questionnaire. Psychiatry Research, 102: 263-271. DOI: 10.1016/S0165-1781(01)00254-
  10. Eisenberg M.E., Berge J.M., Fulkerson J.A. and Neumark-Sztainer D. (2011). Weight comments by family and significant others in young adulthood. Body Image, 8(1): 12-19.
  11. Fredrickson B.L. and Roberts T.A. (1997). Objectification theory. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 21: 173-206.
  12. Gattino S., De Piccoli N., Fedi A., Boza M. and Rollero C. (2017). A Cross-cultural Study of Biological, Psychological, and Social Antecedents of Self-objectification in Italy and Romania. Sex Roles, 1-13.
  13. Goins L.B., Markey C.N. and Gillen M.M. (2012). Understanding men’s body image in the context of their romantic relationships. American Journal of Men’s Health, 6 (3): 240-248. DOI: 10.1177/155798831143100
  14. Goldsmith K.M. and Byers E.S. (2016). Perceived impact of body feedback from romantic partners on young adults’ body image and sexual well-being. Body Image, 17: 161-170.
  15. Haines J., Neumark-Sztainer D., Eisenberg M.E. and Hannan P.J. (2006). Weight-teasing and disordered eating behaviors in adolescents: Longitudinal findings from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens). Pediatrics, 117: 209-215.
  16. Haines J., Neumark‐Sztainer D., Hannan P.J., Berg P. and Eisenberg M.E. (2008). Longitudinal and Secular Trends in Weight‐related Teasing during Adolescence. Obesity, 16 (S2).
  17. Herbozo S. and Thompson J.K. (2006). Appearance-related commentary, body image, and self-esteem: Does the distress associated with the commentary matter?. Body Image, 3: 255-262.
  18. Herbozo S., Menzel J.E. and Thompson J.K. (2013). Differences in appearance-related commentary, body dissatisfaction, and eating disturbance among college women of varying weight groups. Eating Behaviors, 14: 204-206.
  19. Herbozo S., Stevens S.D., Moldovan C.P. and Morrell H.E. (2017). Positive comments, negative outcomes? The potential downsides of appearance-related commentary in ethnically diverse women. Body Image, 21: 6-14.
  20. Hooper D., Coughlan J. and Mullen M. (2008). Structural equation modelling: Guidelines for determining model fit. Articles, 2.
  21. Juarez L. and Pritchard M. (2012). Body dissatisfaction: Commitment, support, and trust in romantic relationships. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 22: 188-200. DOI: 10.1080/10911359.2012.64747
  22. Karlberg T., Moua N., McDonough E., Alakija S. and Flottemesch K. (2015). Giving and receiving compliments what are your intentions? Doctoral Dissertation. Concordia University.
  23. Kenny D.A. and Ledermann T. (2010). Detecting, measuring, and testing dyadic patterns in the actor–partner interdependence model. Journal of Family Psychology, 24 (3): 359.
  24. Lee C.E. (2016). Body Image and Relationship Satisfaction Among Couples: The Role of Perceived Partner Appearance Evaluations and Sexual Satisfaction. Electronic Theses and Dissertations.
  25. Manzoli L., Villari P., Pirone G.M. and Boccia A. (2007). Marital status and mortality in the elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Social Science & Medicine, 64: 77-94.
  26. Marigold D.C., Holmes J.G. and Ross M. (2007). More than words: reframing compliments from romantic partners fosters security in low self-esteem individuals. Journal of personality and Social Psychology, 92: 232-248. DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.92.2.23
  27. Markey C.N. and Markey P.M. (2006). Romantic relationships and body satisfaction among young women. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35: 256-264.
  28. Markey C.N. and Markey P.M. (2014). Gender, sexual orientation, and romantic partner influence on body image. An examination of heterosexual and lesbian women and their partners. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 31: 162-177. DOI: 10.1177/026540751348947
  29. Markey C.N., Markey P.M. and Birch L.L. (2001). Interpersonal predictors of dieting practices among married couples. Journal of Family Psychology, 15: 464-475. DOI: 10.1037/0893-3200.15.3.46
  30. Markey C.N., Markey P.M. and Gray H.F. (2007). Romantic relationships and health: An examination of individuals’ perceptions of their romantic partners’ influences on their health. Sex Roles, 57: 435-445.
  31. Markey C.N., Markey P.M. and Birch L.L. (2004). Understanding women’s body satisfaction: The role of husbands. Sex Roles, 51: 209-216. DOI: 10.1023/B:SERS.0000037764.40569.2
  32. Markey C.N., Markey P.M., Schneider C. and Brownlee S. (2005). Marital status and health beliefs: Different relations for men and women. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 53: 443-451.
  33. Matera C., Nerini A. and Stefanile C. (2013). The role of peer influence on girls’ body dissatisfaction and dieting. European Review of Applied Psychology, 63: 67-74.
  34. Matera C., Nerini A., Marconi M.N. and Stefanile C. (2015). Commenti verbali di fratelli e sorelle e insoddisfazione corporea: Proprietà psicometriche di una versione italiana della Verbal Commentary on Physical Appearance Scale-Siblings (VCOPAS-S). Counseling, 8.
  35. McLaren L., Kuh D., Hardy R. and Gauvin L. (2004). Positive and negative body-related comments and their relationship with body dissatisfaction in middle-aged women. Psychology & Health, 19: 261-272.
  36. Menzel J.E., Schaefer L.M., Burke N.L., Mayhew L.L., Brannick M.T. and Thompson J.K. (2010). Appearance-related teasing, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating: A meta-analysis. Body Image, 7: 261-270.
  37. Miller R.B., Hollist C.S., Olsen J. and Law D. (2013). Marital quality and health over 20years: A growth curve analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family, 75 (3): 667-680.
  38. Morrison K., Doss B.D. and Perez M. (2009). Body image and disordered eating in romantic relationships. Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, 28: 281-306.
  39. Nerini A., Matera C. and Stefanile C. (2016). Siblings’ appearance-related commentary, body dissatisfaction, and risky eating behaviors in young women. Revue Européenne de Psychologie Appliquée/European Review of Applied Psychology, 66 (6): 269-276.
  40. Nowell C. and Ricciardelli L.A. (2008). Appearance-based comments, body dissatisfaction and drive for muscularity in males. Body Image, 5: 337-345.
  41. Preacher K.J. and Hayes A.F. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models. Behavior Research Methods, 40 (3): 879-891.
  42. Proulx C.M. and Snyder-Rivas L.A. (2013). The longitudinal associations between marital happiness, problems, and self-rated health. Journal of Family Psychology, 27 (2): 194-202.
  43. Raffagnino R. and Matera C. (2015). Assessing Relationship Satisfaction: Development and Validation of the Dyadic-Familial Relationship Satisfaction Scale. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 14 (4): 322-341. DOI: 10.1080/15332691.2014.97530
  44. Raffagnino R. e Penzo I. (2015). La Couple’s Affectivity Scale (CAS): un inventario multidimensionale per la misurazione dell’affettività nella relazione di coppia. Psicoterapia Cognitiva e Comportamentale, 21(2).
  45. Raffagnino R., Matera C., Fabbrizzi M., Pennatini A. e Puddu L. (2015). Condivisione del tempo libero e soddisfazione di coppia. Psicologia della Salute, 3: 87-110. DOI: 10.3280/PDS2015-003005
  46. Rahbar K.P. (2006). Body image and disordered eating in romantic relationships. Master Science Psychology. University of Colorado.
  47. Rill L., Baiocchi E., Hopper M., Denker K. and Olson L. (2009). Exploration of the relationship between self-esteem, commitment, and verbal aggressiveness in romantic dating relationships. Communication Reports, 22: 102-113. DOI: 10.1080/0893421090306158
  48. Robles T.F., Slatcher R.B., Trombello J.M. and McGinn M.M. (2014). Marital quality and health: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 140: 140-187.
  49. Rodgers R.F., McLean S.A. and Paxton S.J. (2015). Longitudinal relationships among internalization of the media ideal, peer social comparison, and body dissatisfaction: Implications for the tripartite influence model. Developmental Psychology, 51: 706-713.
  50. Schermelleh-Engel K., Moosbrugger H. and Müller H. (2003). Evaluating the fit of structural equation models: Tests of significance and descriptive goodness-of-fit measures. Methods of Psychological Research Online, 8 (2): 23-74.
  51. Schuster E.B. (2010). Easing the teasing: the effects of appearance-related feedback on body image disturbance, eating pathology, body change behaviors, and self-objectification. Doctoral Dissertation. University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
  52. Sheets V. and Ajmere K. (2005). Are romantic partners a source of college students’ weight concern?. Eating Behaviors, 6: 1-9.
  53. Stefanile C., Matera C. and Pisani E. (2009). Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-14): An Italian version. Psychology & Health, 24: 376-376.
  54. Stefanile C., Matera C., Nerini A. e Pasciucco L. (2015). Predittori dell’interesse per la chirurgia estetica. Influenze socioculturali e insoddisfazione corporea. Psicologia della Salute, 1: 108-130. DOI: 10.3280/PDS2015-00101
  55. Stefanile C., Nerini A. e Matera C. (2016). Commenti verbali da parte del partner, insoddisfazione corporea e soddisfazione di coppia in giovani adulti. In: XIV Congresso Nazionale della Sezione di Psicologia Sociale della Associazione Italiana di Psicologia, Napoli (Italy), 22-24 Settembre 2016.
  56. Thompson J.K., Coovert M.D. and Stormer S.M. (1999). Body image, social comparison, and eating disturbance: A covariance structure modeling investigation.International Journal of Eating Disorders, 26(1): 43-51.
  57. Tylka T.L. and Wood-Barcalow N.L. (2015). What is and what is not positive body image? Conceptual foundations and construct definition. Body Image, 14: 118-129.
  58. Tylka T.L., Bergeron D. and Schwartz J.P. (2005). Development and psychometric evaluation of the Male Body Attitudes Scale (MBAS). Body Image, 2: 161-175.
  59. Weller J.E. and Dziegielewski S.F. (2005). The relationship between romantic partner support styles and body image disturbance.Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 10(2): 71-92.

  • The Power of Words: Appearance Comments from One’s Partner Can Affect Men’s Body Image and Women’s Couple Relationship Elena Fornaini, Camilla Matera, Amanda Nerini, Giulia Rosa Policardo, Cristian Di Gesto, in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health /2021 pp.9319
    DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179319
  • Heterosexual Script in Italian Young Adults: Measurement Across Genders Agathe Scappini, Maria Anna Donati, Giulia Fioravanti, in Sexuality Research and Social Policy /2023 pp.1152
    DOI: 10.1007/s13178-022-00786-9
  • Not All That Glitters Is Gold: Attractive Partners Provide Joys and Sorrows Anna Cardelli, Camilla Matera, Giulia Rosa Policardo, Cristian Di Gesto, Amanda Nerini, in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health /2022 pp.13526
    DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013526

Giulia Rosa Policardo, Camilla Matera, Amanda Nerini, Cristina Stefanile, Tu come mi vedi? Commenti del partner circa l’aspetto fisico, immagine corporea e soddisfazione di coppia: uno studio empirico in "PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE" 2/2018, pp 137-157, DOI: 10.3280/PDS2018-002011