“I Don’t Think It Matters What Age Group You Are in”: Exploring Body Image Coping Strategies in Women Aged 55+

Abstract

Background: To date, most research surrounding body image coping has focused on adolescent and young adult women. However, with age-related changes to body appearance and function, it is important to understand how women aged 55+ cope in uncomfortable body image contexts. Objectives: The present study explored how women aged 55+ coped with body-related situations that elicited body image discomfort. Methods: Ten women from a seniors’ exercise program were interviewed about uncomfortable body image situations to explore their coping strategies. Thematic analysis was used to find themes amongst the data and interpret women’s experiences with regards to body-related distress and coping. Results: Women discussed coping strategies that included: enhancing or hiding physical appearance; reassuring self-talk; social comparisons to others; and a desire to change their mindset to relieve body-related distress. Conclusions: Although women aged 55+ discussed some unique strategies, there were several similarities with adolescent and young adult women. Thus, body image coping strategies appear to transcend the lifespan.

Keywords

• body
• related distress
• social comparison
• thematic analysis