Cited by 41Body Image and Dysmorphia StudiesEating Disorders and BehaviorsMindfulness and Compassion Interventions

Experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion mediate the relationship between body evaluation and unhelpful body image coping strategies in individuals with visible differences

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Zucchelli, Fabio, White, Paul, Williamson, Heidi·2020·Body Image

Abstract

Psychological flexibility, the capacity to be open to any internal stimuli and act in accordance with valued ends, has been identified as an explanatory variable in how people cope with body concerns. The role of psychological flexibility is unexplored in adults with an atypical appearance due to a health condition, injury, or medical treatment (collectively visible difference), who often encounter multiple day-to-day body image threats. Testing two core components of psychological flexibility, namely experiential avoidance (a desire to avoid or get rid of unpleasant internal experiences) and cognitive fusion (taking thoughts literally), can also provide a more precise theoretical model, with clearer implications for psychological intervention. This survey study investigated whether each psychological flexibility component mediated the relationship between body evaluation and two unhelpful body image coping strategies (behavioural avoidance and appearance-fixing behaviours) in 220 adults with various causes of visible difference. Controlling for demographic variables and subjective noticeability of visible difference, results suggest that cognitive fusion partially mediated the relationship for both body image coping strategies, and experiential avoidance partially mediated behavioural avoidance but not appearance-fixing behaviours. Cognitive fusion may be a particularly important cognitive process in the mechanisms underpinning unhelpful body image coping strategies in this population.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.12.002

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Authors
Zucchelli, F., White, P., & Williamson, H.
Affiliations
University of the West of England (GB)
Corresponding author
Zucchelli, Fabio
Venue
Body Image
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-03
Volume
32
Pages
121-127
ISSN
1740-1445 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2995287916
Cited by
41
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3
FWCI
3.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Locations
  • Body Image (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UWE Research Repository (UWE Bristol) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
  • Meningitis Research Foundation
  • Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association
  • British Burn Association
  • University of the West of England
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Keywords
experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion, psychological flexibility, body evaluation, avoidance behavior, visible difference, body image concern
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Avoidance Learning, Body Image, Female, Humans, Male, Thinking

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