Narrative Analysis of Body Dissatisfaction and Spirituality

We inquired into the ways in which seven female participants experienced body dissatisfaction and spirituality--both as separate and as connected issues in their lives. Following a narrative analysis, we identified three main themes. The first theme involved participants' open, accepting spirit...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of Mental Health Counseling Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 36 - 50
Main Authors Buser, Juleen K, McLaughlin, Rachael Parkins
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Alexandria American Mental Health Counselors Association 01.01.2019
Subjects
Beliefs
Body image
College students
Counseling
Eating disorders
Females
Life Satisfaction
Mental health
Psychological research
Psychology
Public life
Qualitative Research
Religion
Religious Factors
Researchers
Self Concept
Self esteem
Self image
Spirituality
Women
United States > US
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:We inquired into the ways in which seven female participants experienced body dissatisfaction and spirituality--both as separate and as connected issues in their lives. Following a narrative analysis, we identified three main themes. The first theme involved participants' open, accepting spiritual beliefs. The second theme involved participants' struggle with body dissatisfaction, which for many was a persistent difficulty. Within this theme of body dissatisfaction, participants discussed ways this dissatisfaction was maintained and ways they were protected from engaging in eating disorder symptoms. Participants identified ways body dissatisfaction persisted, including tendencies to compare their bodies to others' bodies and assume a sense of personal responsibility for their bodies. Participants discussed beliefs in health and spiritual aspects of protection as ways they were safeguarded from eating disorder symptoms. The third theme involved participants' interpretation of a researcher inquiry about spiritual assistance with body dissatisfaction. Based on these findings, we present research and counseling implications.
ISSN:1040-2861
2163-5749
DOI:10.17744/mehc.41.1.04