Positive body image: a qualitative study on the successful experiences of adolescents, teachers and parents

ABSTRACT

Purpose Body image encompasses body-related self-perceptions and personal attitudes. Dissatisfaction with body image during the early stages of adolescence is negatively related to self-esteem and other health problems. A few publications focused on positive body image and directly related to the experiences and interactions of adolescents themselves. To explore positive body image in adolescents and describe the familial and educational factors that contribute to its development.Methods A qualitative study was conducted. Purposive sampling was used, and 9 adolescents, 6 families, and 8 teachers participated in semi-structured interviews, which were then theme analyzed. Results Self-care, body acceptance, confronting messages that attack body image, and the influence of social media have been identified as emerging themes in adolescents’ positive body image experiences. Therefore, the pubertal period, family values, fostering, and educational actions as well as media literacy were identified as factors promoting self-esteem and positive body image in the family and educational environment. Conclusions Their parents also expressed aspects such as those that contribute to the development of healthy self-esteem, confidence, and positive body image. Alternatively, the teachers indicated educational activities to work on self-image and self-esteem when faced with situations of concern in the classroom.

KEYWORDS:

• Positive body image
• qualitative study
• adolescents
• parents
• educational personnel

Acknowledgements

The research team wish to thank all the participants and schools that facilitated the project for their collaboration: IES Lo Pla d’Urgell (Bellpuig, Catalonia, Spain)

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors declare no support from any organization for the submitted work; no financial relationships with organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years; and no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Notes on contributors

G Tort-Nasarre

Gloria Tort-Nasarre Nurse, anthropologist and doctor in pedagogy. Primary care nurse in the public health network of Catalonia. She works in a rural primary care center and teaches the nursing degree and the master’s degree in health education at the University of Lleida. Degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (1995) and doctorate in pedagogy from the University of Barcelona in 2015. I have extensive experience in the world of university nursing teaching for more than 20 years, vice-dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy at the University of Lleida-Igualada Campus.

M Pollina-Pocallet

Mercè Pollina-Pocallet I do my daily work as a Pediatric Nurse in Primary Care Centre. I have a Postgraduate in Nutrition, Health Promotion and another one in Education and Public Health Nursing. I was a Member of the Scientific Committee at the XIII Family and Community Congress (2016). I received a Grant for the Promotion of Health Research from the Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida (2018). I am Internship tutor at the University of Nursing of Lleida and also at the Ramon Llull University.

Y Ferrer Suquet

Yvonne Ferrer-Suquet Graduated in Labor Relations and Technical Administration. I have professional experience in labor relations and in the Social and Health fields. I have worked in Mental Health area, in particular, in eating behavior disorders and addictions. I am currently working in the Lleida-Pyrenees Research Support Unit from the Catalonia’s Health Department and the Institute for Primary Health Care Research Foundation (IDIAP JGol) and at the Multiprofessional Teaching of Family and Community Care- Lleida-ICS Unit. I collaborate on projects associated to COVID-19, ethics, or body image and self-esteem. I am a teacher in regulated training courses about bibliographic resources.

M Ortega Bravo

Marta Ortega Bravo I am a Family and Community Doctor. I have worked at the Cappont Primary Care Center, Lleida since 2007. Currentlly Coordinator of the Research Support Unit in Lleida of the Institute for Primary Healthcare Research IDIAP Jordi Gol. Member of the Research Ethics Committee of the Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital in Lleida. I am an Associate professor of the subject of University of Lleida, as well as a tutor of pre-doctoral training programs at the Doctorate School from the University of Lleida and Thesis director of the Health Doctorate at the University of Lleida.

M Vilafranca Cartagena

Mireia Vilafranca Cartagena Graduated in nursing in 2013 from the University of Barcelona. Master of “nursing care: methodology and applications” by the University of Barcelona. Currently pursuing a doctorate in health sciences at the University of Lleida. Hospital nurse in Sant Joan de Déu in Manresa, Althaia, located in the center of Catalonia. Specialized in the field of internal medicine. She works at the university of UCC-UManresa, teaching in the nursing degree. The line of research is focused on his doctorate, healthy habits, Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, physical activity. He is being trained in qualitative methodology, already having contributions.

E Artigues-Barberà

Eva Artigues-Barberà I am a Health PhD and Primary Care nurse. I collaborate with research groups and also in projects, development and dissemination of different investigations. I am an associate professor in the Master’s Degree in Health Education at the Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy of the UdL and have also taught at the Nursing Diploma and Degree. With a long career in Primary Care and Community intervention Programs, I have experience regarding school groups and universities. I have been trained in research methodology, gender perspective, citizen participation, Health Education and group interventions.