Abstract
Most of the previous studies on body image dissatisfaction mainly focused on the populations of adolescents and middle-aged people, however little is known about the body image dissatisfaction of older adults and its correlates. This study examined the possible patterns of relationship between body image dissatisfaction, sense of control, social support (i.e., family support and friend support), and subjective well-being in older adults. A sample of 814 older adults completed measures of body image dissatisfaction, sense of control, social support, and subjective well-being. The results indicated that body image dissatisfaction is significantly associated with subjective well-being. In addition, sense of control mediated the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and subjective well-being. Moderated mediation analyses revealed that family support moderated the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and sense of control and that friend support moderated the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and subjective well-being. These results of the current study can deepen our understanding of the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and subjective well-being as well as their intermediate variables and may contribute to theories addressing well-being in older adults. The results may also have a practical value by guiding older adults to make rational use of social support and increase their sense of control to reduce the negative effect of body image dissatisfaction and improve their subjective well-being.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Notes
World Health Organization (WHO) set 55 as the beginning of older age (WHO, 2016).
References
Abdolazimi, M., & Niknam, M. (2019). The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on social support perception and body dissatisfaction in the elderly. Aging Psychology, 5(1), 13–25.
Adams, R. G., & Blieszner, R. (1995). Aging well with friends and family. American Behavioral Scientist, 39(2), 209–224. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764295039002008
Ariel-Donges, A. H., Gordon, E. L., Bauman, V., & Perri, M. G. (2019). Does yoga help college-aged women with body-image dissatisfaction feel better about their bodies? Sex Roles, 80(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-018-0917-5
Assari, S. (2019). High sense of mastery reduces psychological distress for African American women but not African American men. Archives of General Internal Medicine, 3(1), 5–9.
Bearman, S. K., Presnell, K., Martinez, E., & Stice, E. (2006). The skinny on body dissatisfaction: A longitudinal study of adolescent girls and boys. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35(2), 217–229. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-005-9010-9
Bennetter, K. E., Clench-Aas, J., & Raanaas, R. K. (2016). Sense of mastery as mediator buffering psychological distress among people with diabetes. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 30(5), 839–844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2016.03.022
Billings, A. G., & Moos, R. H. (1982). Family environments and adaptation: A clinically applicable typology. American Journal of Family Therapy, 10(2), 26–38. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926188208250445
Boehmer, S., Luszczynska, A., & Schwarzer, R. (2007). Coping and quality of life after tumor surgery: Personal and social resources promote different domains of quality of life. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 20(1), 61–75. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615800701195439
Borges, A., de Matos, M. G., & Diniz, J. A. (2013). Body image and subjective well-being in Portuguese adolescents. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 16, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1017/sjp.2013.24
Burlew, L. D., & Shurts, W. M. (2013). Men and body image: Current issues and counseling implications. Journal of Counseling & Development, 91(4), 428–435. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2013.00114.x
Cameron, E., Ward, P., Mandville-Anstey, S. A., & Coombs, A. (2019). The female aging body: A systematic review of female perspectives on aging, health, and body image. Journal of Women & Aging, 31(1), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952841.2018.1449586
Carstensen, L. L. (1992). Social and emotional patterns in adulthood: Support for socioemotional selectivity theory. Psychology and Aging, 7(3), 331–338. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.7.3.331
Carter, C. (2016). Still sucked into the body image thing: The impact of anti-aging and health discourses on women’s gendered identities. Journal of Gender Studies, 25(2), 200–214. https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2014.927354
Cash, T. F., & Fleming, E. C. (2002). The impact of body image experiences: Development of the body image quality of life inventory. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 31(4), 455–460. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.10033
Chan, Y. K., & Lee, R. P. (2006). Network size, social support and happiness in later life: A comparative study of Beijing and Hong Kong. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7(1), 87–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-005-1915-1
Choate, L. H. (2008). Girls’ and women’s wellness: Contemporary counseling issues and Interventions. American Counseling Association Press.
Chrisler, J. C., & Ghiz, L. (1993). Body image issues of older women. Women & Therapy, 14(1–2), 67–75. https://doi.org/10.1300/J015v14n01_07
Clarke, L. H., & Korotchenko, A. (2011). Aging and the body: A review. Canadian Journal on Aging, 30(3), 495–510. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980811000274
Cronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. psychometrika, 16(3), 297–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02310555
Cummins, R. A., & Nistico, H. (2002). Maintaining life satisfaction: The role of positive cognitive bias. Journal of Happiness Studies, 3(1), 37–69. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1015678915305
Da Fonseca, M. D. J. M., Pimenta, I. T., Albuquerque, L. D. S., Aquino, E. M., Cardoso, L. D. O., Chor, D., & Griep, R. H. (2020). Factors associated with body size perception and body image (dis) satisfaction in the elderly: Results of the ELSA-Brasil study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18), 6632. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186632
Deneve, K. M., & Cooper, H. (1998). The happy personality: A meta-analysis of 137 personality traits and subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 124(2), 197–229. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.124.2.197
Diener, E., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2002). Will money increase subjective well-being? Social Indicators Research, 57(2), 119–169. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014411319119
Diener, E. (2009). Subjective well-being. The Science of Well-being, 11-58. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2350-6_2
Donaghue, N. (2009). Body satisfaction, sexual self-schemas and subjective well-being in women. Body Image, 6(1), 37–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2008.08.002
Drewelies, J., Schade, H., Hülür, G., Hoppmann, C. A., Ram, N., & Gerstorf, D. (2020). The more we are in control, the merrier? Partner perceived control and negative affect in the daily lives of older couples. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 75(2), 338–348. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gby009
Elavsky, S., McAuley, E., Motl, R. W., Konopack, J. F., Marquez, D. X., Hu, L., ... & Diener, E. (2005). Physical activity enhances long-term quality of life in older adults: Efficacy, esteem, and affective influences. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 30(2), 138–145. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm3002_6
Felton, B. J., & Berry, C. A. (1992). Do the sources of the urban elderly’s social support determine its psychological consequences? Psychology and Aging, 7(1), 89–97. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.7.1.89
Ferguson, S. J., & Goodwin, A. D. (2010). Optimism and well-being in older adults: The mediating role of social support and perceived control. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 71(1), 43–68. https://doi.org/10.2190/ag.71.1.c
Franks, P., Campbell, T. L., & Shields, C. G. (1992). Social relationships and health: The relative roles of family functioning and social support. Social Science & Medicine, 34(7), 779–788. https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(92)90365-w
Givens, J. L., Frederick, M., Silverman, L., Anderson, S., Senville, J., Silver, M., ... & Perls, T. T. (2009). Personality traits of centenarians' offspring. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 57(4), 683-685. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02189.x
Green, B. L., & Rodgers, A. (2001). Determinants of social support among low-income mothers: A longitudinal analysis. American Journal of Community Psychology, 29(3), 419–441. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1010371830131
Gregory, T., Nettelbeck, T., & Wilson, C. (2010). Openness to experience, intelligence, and successful ageing. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(8), 895–899. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2010.02.017
Hayes, A. F. (2017). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. Guilford publications.
Hodder, K., Chur-Hansen, A., & Parker, A. (2014). A thematic study of the role of social support in the body image of burn survivors. Health Psychology Research, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/hpr.2014.1196
Hong, J. H., Lachman, M. E., Charles, S. T., Chen, Y., Wilson, C. L., Nakamura, J. S., ... & Kim, E. S. (2021). The positive influence of sense of control on physical, behavioral, and psychosocial health in older adults: An outcome-wide approach. Preventive Medicine, 149, 106612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106612
Infurna, F. J., & Okun, M. A. (2015). Antecedents and outcomes of level and rates of change in perceived control: The moderating role of age. Developmental Psychology, 51(10), 1420–1437. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039530
Infurna, F. J., Gerstorf, D., Ram, N., Schupp, J., & Wagner, G. G. (2011). Long-term antecedents and outcomes of perceived control. Psychology and Aging, 26(3), 559–575. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022890
Inglehart, R. (2002). Gender, aging, and subjective well-being. International Journal of Comparative Sociology, 43(3–5), 391–408. https://doi.org/10.1177/002071520204300309
Jankowski, G. S., Diedrichs, P. C., Williamson, H., Christopher, G., & Harcourt, D. (2016). Looking age-appropriate while growing old gracefully: A qualitative study of ageing and body image among older adults. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(4), 550–561. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105314531468
Jankowski, G. S., Diedrichs, P. C., & Halliwell, E. (2014). Can appearance conversations explain differences between gay and heterosexual men’s body dissatisfaction? Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 15(1), 68. 77. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031796
Johnson, S. M., Edwards, K. M., & Gidycz, C. A. (2015). Interpersonal weight-related pressure and disordered eating in college women: A test of an expanded tripartite influence model. Sex Roles, 72(1), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-014-0442-0
Jopp, D., & Smith, J. (2006). Resources and life-management strategies as determinants of successful aging: On the protective effect of selection, optimization, and compensation. Psychology and Aging, 21(2), 253–265. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.21.2.253
Keeton, C. P., Perry-Jenkins, M., & Sayer, A. G. (2008). Sense of control predicts depressive and anxious symptoms across the transition to parenthood. Journal of Family Psychology, 22(2), 212–221. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.22.2.212
Kerres Malecki, C., & Kilpatrick Demary, M. (2002). Measuring perceived social support: Development of the child and adolescent social support scale (CASSS). Psychology in the Schools, 39(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.10004
Keski-Rahkonen, A., & Mustelin, L. (2016). Epidemiology of eating disorders in Europe: Prevalence, incidence, comorbidity, course, consequences, and risk factors. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 29(6), 340–345. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000278
Kozma, A., & Stones, M. J. (1980). The measurement of happiness: Development of the Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH). Journal of Gerontology, 35(6), 906–912. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronj/35.6.906
Krause, N. (2004). Lifetime Trauma, Emotional Support, and Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults. The Gerontologist, 44(5), 615–623. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/44.5.615
Langer, E. J., & Rodin, J. (1976). The effects of choice and enhanced personal responsibility for the aged: A field experiment in an institutional setting. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34(2), 191–198. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.34.2.191
Lee, R. P., Ruan, D., & Lai, G. (2005). Social structure and support networks in Beijing and Hong Kong. Social Networks, 27(3), 249–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2005.04.001
Liechty, T., & Yarnal, C. M. (2010). Older women’s body image: A lifecourse perspective. Ageing & Society, 30(7), 1197–1218. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X10000346
Lin, S., Liu, J., & Jang, Y. (2014). The role of psychosocial and cultural factors as correlates of depressive symptoms in Chinese-American older adults. Clinical Gerontologist, 37(2), 108–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2013.868847
Littleton, H. L., Axsom, D., & Pury, C. L. (2005). Development of the body image concern inventory. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 43(2), 229–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2003.12.006
Lubben, J., Blozik, E., Gillmann, G., Iliffe, S., von Renteln Kruse, W., Beck, J. C., & Stuck, A. E. (2006). Performance of an abbreviated version of the Lubben Social Network Scale among three European community-dwelling older adult populations. The Gerontologist, 46(4), 503–513. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/46.4.503
Marshall, C. E., Lengyel, C. O., & Menec, V. H. (2014). Body image and body work among older women: A review. Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, 7(4), 198–210. https://doi.org/10.1108/eihsc-11-2013-0042
McKinley, N. M. (2006a). Longitudinal gender differences in objectified body consciousness and weight-related attitudes and behaviors: Cultural and developmental contexts in the transition from college. Sex Roles, 54(3–4), 159–173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-006-9335-1
McKinley, N. M. (2006b). The developmental and cultural contexts of objectified body consciousness: A longitudinal analysis of two cohorts of women. Developmental Psychology, 42(4), 679–687. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.42.4.679
Mendelson, B. K., Mendelson, M. J., & White, D. R. (2001). Body-esteem scale for adolescents and adults. Journal of Personality Assessment, 76(1), 90–106. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa7601_6
Merz, E. M., & Huxhold, O. (2010). Wellbeing depends on social relationship characteristics: Comparing different types and providers of support to older adults. Ageing & Society, 30(5), 843–857. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x10000061
Montemurro, B., & Gillen, M. M. (2013). Wrinkles and sagging flesh: Exploring transformations in women’s sexual body image. Journal of Women & Aging, 25(1), 3–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952841.2012.720179
Newton, P. E. (2007). Clarifying the purposes of educational assessment. Assessment in Education, 14(2), 149–170. 14(2), 149–170. https://doi.org/10.1080/09695940701478321
Oh, K. Y. (1999). Body image and appearance management among older married dyads: Factors influencing body image in the aging process (Doctor of Philosophy). Iowa State University.
Paxton, S. J., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Hannan, P. J., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2006). Body dissatisfaction prospectively predicts depressive mood and low self-esteem in adolescent girls and boys. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 35(4), 539–549. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15374424jccp3504_5
Pearlin, L. I., & Schooler, C. (1978). The structure of coping. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 19, 2–21.
Pearlman, S. F. (1993). Late mid-life astonishment: Disruptions to identity and self-esteem. Women & Therapy, 14(1–2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1300/j015v14n01_01
Peterson, T. L., Chatters, L. M., Taylor, R. J., & Nguyen, A. W. (2014). Subjective well-being of older African Americans with DSM IV psychiatric disorders. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(5), 1179–1196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-013-9470-7
Poulin, J., Deng, R., Ingersoll, T. S., Witt, H., & Swain, M. (2012). Perceived family and friend support and the psychological well-being of American and Chinese elderly persons. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 27(4), 305–317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-012-9177-y
Rocha, L. M., & Terra, N. (2013). Body image in older adults: A review. Scientia Medica, 23(4), 255–261. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-6108.2013.4.15357
Rodin, J. (1986). Aging and health: Effects of the sense of control. Science, 233(4770), 1271–1276. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.3749877
Ruthig, J. C., Chipperfield, J. G., Newall, N. E., Perry, R. P., & Hall, N. C. (2007). Detrimental effects of falling on health and well-being in later life: The mediating roles of perceived control and optimism. Journal of Health Psychology, 12(2), 231–248. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105307074250
Schwartz, M. B., & Brownell, K. D. (2004). Obesity and body image. Body Image, 1(1), 43–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1740-1445(03)00007-X
Sheikh, M. A., Abelsen, B., & Olsen, J. A. (2016). Clarifying associations between childhood adversity, social support, behavioral factors, and mental health, health, and well-being in adulthood: A population-based study. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 727. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00727
Siu, O. L., & Phillips, D. R. (2002). A study of family support, friendship, and psychological well-being among older women in Hong Kong. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 55(4), 299–319. https://doi.org/10.2190/2k1w-hwlp-jkd5-lrp6
Song, L., Ge, Y., & Zhang, X. (2021). The relationship between WeChat use by Chinese urban older adults living alone and their subjective well-being: The mediation role of intergenerational support and social activity. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 14, 1543–1554. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S330827
Steptoe, A., Deaton, A., & Stone, A. A. (2015). Subjective wellbeing, health, and ageing. The Lancet, 385(9968), 640–648. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(13)61489-0
Swami, V., Weis, L., Barron, D., & Furnham, A. (2018). Positive body image is positively associated with hedonic (emotional) and eudaimonic (psychological and social) well-being in British adults. The Journal of Social Psychology, 158(5), 541–552. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2017.1392278
Szkody, E., Rogers, M. M., & McKinney, C. (2020). The role of emotional and instrumental support from parents on facets of emerging adult impulsivity. Personality and Individual Differences, 167, 110261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110261
Taylor, S. E., Klein, L. C., Lewis, B. P., Gruenewald, T. L., Gurung, R. A., & Updegraff, J. A. (2000). Biobehavioral responses to stress in females: Tend-and-befriend, not fight-or-flight. Psychological Review, 107(3), 411–429. https://doi.org/10.1037//0033-295X.107.3.411
Teo, T. (2011). Considering common method variance in educational technology research. British Journal of Educational Technology, 42(5), E94–E96. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2011.01202.x
Tiggemann, M. (2004). Body image across the adult life span: Stability and change. Body Image, 1(1), 29–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1740-1445(03)00002-0
Tiggemann, M., Martins, Y., & Kirkbride, A. (2007). Oh to be lean and muscular: Body image ideals in gay and heterosexual men. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 8(1), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1037/1524-9220.8.1.15
Tovel, H., & Carmel, S. (2014). Maintaining successful aging: The role of coping patterns and resources. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(2), 255–270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-013-9420-4
Van Dale, K. G., Somers, C. L., Gregg, D. H., Yoon, J. S., Hillman, S. B., & Bartoi, M. G. (2014). The roles of teasing and social support in adolescent internalizing and externalizing behavioral outcomes. Child Indicators Research, 7(3), 537–552. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-013-9227-1
Van Den Berg, P. A., Mond, J., Eisenberg, M., Ackard, D., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2010). The link between body dissatisfaction and self-esteem in adolescents: Similarities across gender, age, weight status, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Journal of Adolescent Health, 47(3), 290–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.02.004
Voelker, D. K., Reel, J. J., & Greenleaf, C. (2015). Weight status and body image perceptions in adolescents: Current perspectives. Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, 6, 149–158. https://doi.org/10.2147/AHMT.S68344
Wahl, H. W., Becker, S., Burmedi, D., & Schilling, O. (2004). The role of primary and secondary control in adaptation to age-related vision loss: A study of older adults with macular degeneration. Psychology and Aging, 19(1), 235–239. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.19.1.235
Wang W., & Lian F. (2016). Review of research on the elderly body image. Health Education and Health Promotion, 11(1), 32–35. https://doi.org/10.16117/j.cnki.31-1974/r.201601011
Wen Z., & Bao H. (2008). Research on the relationship between BBD and controlling feeling of adolescents. China Journal of Health Psychology, 16(2), 171–173. https://doi.org/10.13342/j.cnki.cjhp.2008.02.022
Williams, B. R., Sawyer Baker, P., Allman, R. M., & Roseman, J. M. (2007). Bereavement among African American and White older adults. Journal of Aging and Health, 19(2), 313–333. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264307299301
Wojtyna, E., Łakuta, P., Marcinkiewicz, K., Bergler-Czop, B., & Brzezińska-Wcisło, L. (2017). Gender, body image and social support: Biopsychosocial deter-minants of depression among patients with psoriasis. Acta Dermato Venereologica, 97(1), 91–97. https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-2483
Wu, Z. Q., Sun, L., Sun, Y. H., Zhang, X. J., Tao, F. B., & Cui, G. H. (2010). Correlation between loneliness and social relationship among empty nest elderly in Anhui rural area, China. Aging and Mental Health, 14(1), 108–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607860903228796
Xiong, H., Zhang, J., Ye, B., Zhang, X., & Sun, P. (2012). Common method variance effects and the models of statistical approaches for controlling it. Advances in Psychological Science, 20(5), 757–769. https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1042.2012.00757
Yeung, G. T., & Fung, H. H. (2007). Social support and life satisfaction among Hong Kong Chinese older adults: Family first? European Journal of Ageing, 4(4), 219–227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-007-0065-1
Funding
This work was supported by the National Social Science Foundation (17BSH153).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Human Experimentation, School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher's note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Ma, M., Zhang, B. The relationship between body image dissatisfaction and subjective well-being through the intervening roles of sense of control and social support in older adults. Curr Psychol 42, 29268–29279 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03968-1
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03968-1