The Prediction of Intra-Individual Variability in the Daily Body-Image Experiences Among College Women

This investigation examined body-image states in the context ofdaily life. There were 108 women who completed all three phases ofthis study. First, a battery of bodyimage trait measures and an eating attitudes measure were completed. Second, participants called an automated telephonic response system twice daily for six days and recorded their current body-image states, from the questions on the Body Image States Scale. Finally, a Post-Study Questionnaire was completed. Pearson correlations examined the extent to which the pretest measures predicted the level and variability of body-image states. Consistent with hypotheses, greater satisfaction with one' appearance, less dysfunctional investment in one's appearance, less disturbed eating attitudes, less situational body-image dysphoria, and utilizing more adaptive and less maladaptive coping strategies predicted more favorable body-image state levels. As also hypothesized, dysfunctional investment in one's appearance, disturbed eating attitudes, and using appearance-fixing coping strategies predicted greater body-image variability. The implications of the research results and future directions for study are discussed.