Exploring the Relationships Between Specific Emotional Regulation Strategies and Body Image Dimensions

Body image is a powerful multidimensional construct linked to important physical and psychological health outcomes. Previous research suggests that the emotional regulation strategies individuals use may be related to optimizing body image. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which emotional regulation strategies collectively and individually explain various dimensions of body image. A sample of 316 participants completed a cross-sectional online survey assessing demographics, 12 distinct emotional regulation strategies, and seven body image dimensions. Path analysis conducted using Mplus software indicated that emotional regulation strategies collectively accounted for 6% to 72% of the variance across the seven body image dimensions (R² = 0.06 – 0.72). Individual emotional regulation strategies often correlated with specific body image measures rather than demonstrating consistent relationships across all dimensions. Avoidance and reappraisal were linked to more optimal body image, while rumination was linked to more detrimental body image. In contrast, appearance fixing and self-blame demonstrated mixed relationships across body image dimensions, including particularly strong associations with weight preoccupation and body importance. These findings emphasize that emotional regulation strategies are associated with distinct aspects of body image rather than having uniform effects. Future research should move beyond broad applications of emotional regulation strategies and instead consider how specific strategies relate to particular dimensions of body image. Understanding the unique contributions of distinct emotional regulation strategies can provide clearer insights and support the development of more targeted and effective interventions to promote optimal body image.