Table 2 Frequencies of Personal Change codes
Theme | Code | Proportion %(n) | Sample response |
|---|---|---|---|
Neutral | No impact | 11.4 (123) | “No significant impact to my own life.” “Unfortunately not much” “Immediately after I felt good about myself. Now however 6 months later I am back to having awful self-esteem and a negative body image.” |
Changes in Knowledge | Feeling that I am not alone- struggles are valid | 6.7% (72) | “Made me realize that I am not the only one that feels the way I do about my body,” “That most women have insecurities.” |
Change in knowledge or awareness | 11.4% (123) | “Not only have I started looking at myself differently... but I pushed this out for women in my community where how fair and how thin you are is valued more than your personality.” | |
Enhanced critique of societal standards | 8.8% (95) | “I think more about what I see in the media in terms of it being very one dimensional in the type of women/people portrayed.“ | |
Changes in Attitudes | Valuing qualities other than appearance | 7.5% (81) | “Feeling less concerned with superficial thoughts of my own body image and appreciating more of how clever my body is...” “I’m going to make a conscious effort to consentrate [sic] on the important things and not my weight.” |
Self-compassion and being less judgmental or engaging in less social comparison | 36.9% (400) | “I have really tried to let some of that stuff go and just live life without worrying how other people see me.” “Stopping my inner critic when I find I’m being negative towards myself and my appearance. Remembering some of the people in the film and their rise above adversity.” | |
Body acceptance and body confidence | 44.1% (478) | “It has made me think differently about my body” “It put a louder voice/ memory/ pathway in my system to value self-acceptance more than a # on the scale” | |
Changes in Behavior | Behavioral indications of reduced body dissatisfaction | 16.2% (176) | “A big difference! Lets just say i just bought a swimsuit and im determined to wear it without shorts and a top over it! I want to set an example that porcelain skin, cellulite and stretch marks are normal and nothing to be ashamed of!!” “Have been trying to ‘embrace’” |
Reduced dieting, engaging in self-care for health | 19.6% (212) | “I have embraced the non-diet culture.” “I’m not trying to restrict food or exercise to get thin.” “Less guilt associated with food.” | |
Reduced ED Symptomology | 2.8% [30] | “I am clean for the first time for 12 years from bulimia, that’s something New for me |