The Power of Words: Appearance Comments from One’s Partner Can Affect Men’s Body Image and Women’s Couple Relationship
Open accessAbstract
Background: The purpose of the present study was to examine, through an experimental vignette design, the effects of appearance-related comments from one’s partner on body image and the perceived quality of one’s relationship. Body image was considered both in negative (body dissatisfaction) and positive (body compassion) terms. Methods: Appearance-related commentary from one’s partner was manipulated through a vignette describing the purchase of a swimsuit. The participants (n = 211) were women and men who were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental conditions (positive comment, negative comment, no comment). Results: A series of ANOVAs showed different findings for women and men. Being criticized for body weight and shape caused an increase in body dissatisfaction and a decrease in body compassion in men but not in women. Regarding couple satisfaction, women who imagined receiving a compliment about their body perceived being more accepted by their partner and were less afraid of being abandoned or rejected. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of appearance-based comments from one’s partner on men’s body image and on women’s perception of their couple relationship. Therefore, appearance comments might be addressed by interventions aimed at enhancing positive body image, reducing body dissatisfaction, and fostering couple relationships, carefully considering sex differences.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
These norms are dynamic and influenced by historical, social, and economic factors, varying across societies.
“These norms are dynamic and influenced by historical, social, and economic factors, which vary widely across different societies [163].”
From Body Perceptions and Psychological Well-Being: A Review of the Impact of Social Media and Physical Measurements on Self-Esteem and Mental Health with a Focus on Body Image Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors (2024) · cites this paper as [163]
The Introduction says that societal beauty ideals are conveyed through sociocultural channels and that interactions can reinforce cultural standards. It does not say that those norms change over time, are shaped by historical or economic factors, or vary widely across societies. The indexed copy provides no page number for this passage. (LLM, conf=0.83)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredCultural norms significantly shape standards of beauty and body ideals, influencing individuals' perceptions and satisfaction with body image.
“Cultural norms significantly shape standards of beauty and body ideals, deeply influencing individuals’ perceptions and satisfaction with their body image.”
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Objectification Theory: Toward Understanding Women's Lived Experiences and Mental Health Risks
Fredrickson, B. L., & Roberts, T.-A. (1997) · Psychology of Women Quarterly · doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.1997.tb00108.x · Cited by 5,531 · see citing works
Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization of a Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself
NEFF, K. (2003) · Self and Identity · doi:10.1080/15298860309032 · Cited by 5,440 · see citing works
GPOWER: A general power analysis program
Erdfelder, E., Faul, F., & Buchner, A. (1996) · Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers · doi:10.3758/bf03203630 · Cited by 4,864 · see citing works
Exacting beauty: Theory, assessment, and treatment of body image disturbance.
Thompson, J. K., Heinberg, L. J., Altabe, M., & Tantleff-Dunn, S. (1999) · doi:10.1037/10312-000 · Cited by 3,100 · see citing works
What is and what is not positive body image? Conceptual foundations and construct definition
Tylka, T. L., & Wood-Barcalow, N. L. (2015) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.04.001 · Cited by 1,293 · see citing works
Fredrickson, B. L., Roberts, T.-A., Noll, S. M., Quinn, D. M., & Twenge, J. M. (1998) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.75.1.269 · Cited by 1,129 · see citing works
Cognitive-Behavioral Perspectives on Body Image
Cash, T. F. (2012) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-384925-0.00054-7 · Cited by 685 · see citing works
Olivardia, R., Pope, H. G., Borowiecki, J. J., & Cohane, G. H. (2004) · Psychology of Men & Masculinity · doi:10.1037/1524-9220.5.2.112 · Cited by 614 · see citing works
Schaefer, L. M., Burke, N. L., Thompson, J. K., Dedrick, R. F., Heinberg, L. J., Calogero, R. M., Bardone‐Cone, A. M., Higgins, M. K., Frederick, D. A., Kelly, M. C., et al. (2014) · Psychological Assessment · doi:10.1037/a0037917 · Cited by 595 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Tripartite Influence model of body image and eating disturbance
van den Berg, P., Thompson, J. K., Obremski, K. M., & Coovert, M. D. (2002) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/s0022-3999(02)00499-3 · Cited by 577 · see citing works
A Biopsychosocial Model of Disordered Eating and the Pursuit of Muscularity in Adolescent Boys.
Ricciardelli, L. A., & McCabe, M. P. (2004) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.130.2.179 · Cited by 456 · see citing works
Self-compassion, body image, and disordered eating: A review of the literature
Braun, T. D., Park, C. L., & Gorin, A. A. (2016) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.03.003 · Cited by 398 · see citing works
Development and psychometric evaluation of the Male Body Attitudes Scale (MBAS)
Tylka, T. L., Bergeron, D., & Schwartz, J. P. (2005) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2005.03.001 · Cited by 338 · see citing works
The Swimsuit Becomes Us All: Ethnicity, Gender, and Vulnerability to Self-Objectification
Hebl, M. R., King, E. B., & Lin, J. (2004) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167204264052 · Cited by 294 · see citing works
Positive Psychology Perspectives on Body Image
Tylka, T. L. (2012) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-384925-0.00104-8 · Cited by 275 · see citing works
Türk, F., & Waller, G. (2020) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101856 · Cited by 257 · see citing works
Calogero, R. M., Herbozo, S., & Thompson, J. K. (2009) · Psychology of Women Quarterly · doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.2008.01479.x · Cited by 225 · see citing works
The swimsuit issue: Correlates of body image in a sample of 52,677 heterosexual adults
Frederick, D. A., Peplau, L. A., & Lever, J. (2006) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2006.08.002 · Cited by 203 · see citing works
Meltzer, A. L., & McNulty, J. K. (2010) · Journal of Family Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0019063 · Cited by 183 · see citing works
Bailey, S. D., & Ricciardelli, L. A. (2009) · Eating Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2009.12.001 · Cited by 172 · see citing works
Tiggemann, M., & Lacey, C. (2009) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2009.07.002 · Cited by 171 · see citing works
The validity of a short version of the Body Shape Questionnaire
Dowson, J. H., & Henderson, L. (2001) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/s0165-1781(01)00254-2 · Cited by 147 · see citing works
Karazsia, B. T., & Crowther, J. H. (2009) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2008.12.003 · Cited by 140 · see citing works
Are romantic partners a source of college students' weight concern?
Sheets, V. L., & Ajmere, K. (2004) · Eating Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2004.08.008 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Durso, L. E., Latner, J. D., & Ciao, A. C. (2016) · Eating Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2016.01.011 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Markey, C. N., Markey, P. M., & Gray, H. F. (2007) · Sex Roles · doi:10.1007/s11199-007-9266-5 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Herbozo, S., & Thompson, J. K. (2006) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2006.10.001 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Herbozo, S., & Thompson, J. K. (2006) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2006.04.001 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
The body compassion scale: Development and initial validation
Altman, J. K., Linfield, K., Salmon, P. G., & Beacham, A. O. (2017) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/1359105317718924 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Appearance-based comments, body dissatisfaction and drive for muscularity in males
Nowell, C., & Ricciardelli, L. A. (2008) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2008.06.002 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
McCabe, M. P., Ricciardelli, L. A., & Ridge, D. (2006) · Sex Roles · doi:10.1007/s11199-006-9093-0 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Internalization of Thin-Ideal and Muscular-Ideal
Thompson, J. K., Schaefer, L. M., & Menzel, J. E. (2012) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-384925-0.00079-1 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Goldsmith, K. M., & Byers, E. S. (2016) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.03.008 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
The Relationship Between Romantic Partner Support Styles and Body Image Disturbance
Weller, J. E., & Dziegielewski, S. F. (2005) · Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment · doi:10.1300/j137v10n02_04 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Doohan, E.-A. M., & Manusov, V. (2004) · Western Journal of Communication · doi:10.1080/10570310409374795 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Body Image and Disordered Eating in Romantic Relationships
Morrison, K. R., Doss, B. D., & Pérez, M. (2009) · Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1521/jscp.2009.28.3.281 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Body weight relationships in early marriage. Weight relevance, weight comparisons, and weight talk
Bove, C. F., & Sobal, J. (2011) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2011.08.007 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
A qualitative examination of body image threats using Social Self-Preservation Theory
Lamarche, L., Kerr, G. A., Faulkner, G., Gammage, K. L., & Klentrou, P. (2011) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2011.10.004 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Oliveira, S., Trindade, I. A., & Ferreira, C. (2018) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2018.01.031 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Herbozo, S., Menzel, J. E., & Thompson, J. K. (2013) · Eating Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2013.01.013 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Appearance commentary from romantic partners: Evaluation of an adapted measure
Carriere, L. J., & Kluck, A. S. (2014) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2013.12.003 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Policardo, G. R., Nerini, A., Gesto, C. D., & Matera, C. (2021) · European Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1027/2512-8442/a000088 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Self-citationImage corporelle, satisfaction sexuelle et conjugale chez des couples hétérosexuels.
Gagnon‐Girouard, M., Turcotte, O., Paré-Cardinal, M., David Levesque, B. A., Tanguay, B. S.-P., & Bégin, C. (2012) · Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement · doi:10.1037/a0029097 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Stewart, T. M., & Williamson, D. A. (2003) · Clinical Case Studies · doi:10.1177/1049732302250780 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Appearance feedback in intimate relationships: the role of self-verification and self-enhancement.
Brown, J. N., Stukas, A. A., & Evans, L. (2013) · Body image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2012.09.002 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Body compassion safeguards against the impact of major life events on binge eating
Barata-Santos, M., Marta‐Simões, J., & Ferreira, C. (2018) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2018.12.016 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Stefanile, C., Nerini, A., & Matera, C. (2016) · Florence Research (University of Florence) · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Self-citationPolicardo, G. R., Matera, C., Nerini, A., & Stefanile, C. (2018) · PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE · doi:10.3280/pds2018-002011 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Self-citationPasnak, R. (2018) · Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research · doi:10.26717/bjstr.2018.05.001185 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Raffagnino, R., & Penzo, I. (2015) · Florence Research (University of Florence) · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Policardo, G. R., Nerini, A., Matera, C., Gesto, C. D., & Stefanile, C. (2020) · PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE · doi:10.3280/pds2020-002006 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationBody Compassion Scale--Italian Version
Policardo, G. R., Nerini, A., Gesto, C. D., & Matera, C. (2021) · PsycTESTS Dataset · doi:10.1037/t81700-000 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 5
- [2]Tiggemann M. Cognitive-Behavioral perspectives on body image Body Image: A Handbook of Science, Practice, and Prevention Cash T.F. Smolak L. Guilford Press New York, NY, USA 2011 12 19
- [9]Menzel J.E. Teasing, appearance-related Encyclopedia of Body Image and Human Appearance Cash T.F. Academic Press London, UK Elsevier San Diego, CA, USA 2012 783 789
- [29]Cash T.F. Body image: Cognitive behavioral perspectives on body image Body Images: A Handbook of Theory, Research, and Clinical Practice Cash T.F. Pruzinsky T. Guilford Press New York, NY, USA 2002 38 46
- [53]Policardo G.R. Di Gesto C. Nerini A. Matera C. Io non sono i miei muscoli: Influenze socioculturali e body compassion in giovani uomini italiani Proceedings of the XVII Congresso Nazionale della Sezione di Psicologia Sociale dell’AIP Brescia, Italy 13–15 September 2021
- [57]Murnen S.K. Gender and body images Body Image: A Handbook of Science, Practice, and Prevention Cash T.F. Smolak L. Guilford Press New York, NY, USA 2011 173 179
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Merino, M., Tornero-Aguilera, J. F., Rubio-Zarapuz, A., Villanueva-Tobaldo, C. V., Martín-Rodríguez, A., & Clemente-Suárez, V. J. (2024) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare12141396 · Cited by 349 · see citing works
“These norms are dynamic and influenced by historical, social, and economic factors, which vary widely across different societies [163].”
BackgroundMatera, C., Dommermuth, L., Bacci, S., Bertaccini, B., Minello, A., & Vignoli, D. (2022) · Journal of Family and Economic Issues · doi:10.1007/s10834-022-09872-x · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Self-citationCouples losing kinship: A systematic review of weight stigma in romantic relationships
Schmidt, A. M., Jubran, M., Salivar, E. G., & Brochu, P. M. (2022) · Journal of Social Issues · doi:10.1111/josi.12542 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Weaver, A. D., & Byers, E. S. (2022) · Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · doi:10.1080/0092623x.2022.2105768 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Wu, H. X., Chen, T. T., Ching, B. H., Li, X., & Li, Y. H. (2023) · Scandinavian Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/sjop.12965 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Evolution of Men’s Image in Fashion Advertising: Breaking Stereotypes and Embracing Diversity
Carrasco-Santos, M. J., Rodríguez, C. C., & Begdouri-Rodríguez, I. (2024) · Journal of theoretical and applied electronic commerce research · doi:10.3390/jtaer19010011 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Not All That Glitters Is Gold: Attractive Partners Provide Joys and Sorrows
Cardelli, A., Matera, C., Policardo, G. R., Gesto, C. D., & Nerini, A. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192013526 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citationHow does my partner see me? Metaperceptions of personality and couple satisfaction
Matera, C., & Pirani, E. (2024) · Journal of Marital and Family Therapy · doi:10.1111/jmft.12700 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationPalmer, L. P., Rossman, S. M., & Córdova, J. V. (2024) · Discover Psychology · doi:10.1007/s44202-024-00205-7 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Gesselman, A. N., Kaufman, E. M., Campbell, J. T., Bennett‐Brown, M., Osorio, M. B., Smith, C. R., Piazza, M., & Moscovici, Z. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0318727 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Raeisian, F. S., Poursharifi, H., Rajeziesfahani, S., Kadkhoda, M., Hanzaei, B. D., & Davoudi, M. (2026) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-026-46174-w · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Yang, L., Bai, B., Zhang, Z., & Zhao, D. (2025) · Asian Journal Of Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/ajsp.70017 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Loving Words: A Nurse Theorist and Editor’s Story of Precision and Clarity
Morrow, M. R., & Parse, R. R. (2022) · Nursing Science Quarterly · doi:10.1177/08943184221131955
Mathew, N. S., Sousa, A. D., & Gupta, A. R. (2026) · Annals of Indian Psychiatry · doi:10.4103/aip.aip_205_25
Farajpoor, F. B., Hejazi, E., & Rastegari, A. (2026) · Marriage & Family Review · doi:10.1080/01494929.2026.2707390
Ramos-Camino, D., Miño, C., Montenegro-Espinosa, J., Quiroz-Cárdenas, F., Ridgell, L., Yáñez-Sepúlveda, R., Olivares-Arancibia, J., Páez-Herrera, J., Yon, D., & López-Gil, J. (2026) · European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education · doi:10.3390/ejihpe16100146
- Authors
- Fornaini, E., Matera, C., Nerini, A., Policardo, G. R., & Di Gesto, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Florence (IT)
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
- Corresponding author
- Matera, Camilla
- Venue
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2021-09-03
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 17
- Pages
- 9319
- ISSN
- 1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC8430464
- OpenAlex
- W3198431805
- Cited by
- 16
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 5
- FWCI
- 1.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Florence Research (University of Florence) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- IRIS eCampus Telematic University (Università degli Studi eCampus) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Keywords
- body image, body dissatisfaction, body compassion, couple relationship satisfaction, sex differences, fear of abandonment, body image interventions
- MeSH terms
- Body Dissatisfaction, Body Image, Body Weight, Female, Humans, Male, Men, Personal Satisfaction
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
