Sharing Cultural Beliefs About Appearance

Abstract

Loneliness is a large and growing problem among adolescents. Body image has a strong relationship with loneliness, especially among young people. Therefore, a promising way to increase social wellbeing among this group is by increasing body satisfaction. This report presents various aspects that should be taken into account when designing an intervention for this topic and demographic. Several designs are suggested, one of which is made into a prototype and validated. 
Cognitive models theorise loneliness as a consequence of bad coping behaviours for body dissatisfaction, among other things. Body dissatisfaction often results from internalising dominant cultural beliefs about appearance. An example of a dominant belief is that having a fit body can be interpreted as an achievement of discipline and perseverance that an individual has worked hard for. The reverse then also rings true: unfit people are lazier, less disciplined and more likely to give up. Many of these beliefs are so common that they seem unchangeable. However, history shows us that appearance ideals have changed dramatically in the past and that they result from the intricate way society is organised and how it develops within a period.
Changing these beliefs is difficult and slow, but a good place to start is by realising there is often more nuance and variety in beliefs about being healthy and fit than we assume. While one person values a low-fat sixpack for the hard work that goes into it, another values the freedom a healthy and able body provides. It seems these behaviours and beliefs are closely related to expressing identity and feeling connected with others. This leads us to the question: Are there no other, more socially healthy ways to create this connection? 
The intervention this report proposes offers a fun and light-hearted reason for adolescents to discuss their aspirations and the influence of dominant cultural beliefs and discover that there are more differences between people’s personal motivations and aspirations than they may know.