A Comparative Study of Verbal and Visual Self-Representations: Body Image and Health Aspirations of Brazilian and French Women

Abstract This study aims to comparatively analyse how young adult women from Brazil and France perceive their bodies and health, through both verbal and visual self-representations. The theory of social representations offers the theoretical framework for this study. A total of 164 women aged 18 to 20 (82 from Brazil and 82 from France) participated in the research. They responded to a questionnaire with word association technique, open-ended sentences and drawing tasks. The data were analysed by the content analysis and visual analysis techniques. The results reveal both common and diverse perspectives and expectations concerning body image, aging, and health. They also show varying perceptions of which body parts require monitoring and control while highlighting contrasts in body satisfaction and dissatisfaction. These results were interpreted through the lens of culture and life experiences. This investigation contributes to a better understanding of both uniformity and diversity in body representations and aids the design of community educational and mental health projects in culturally diverse societies.