Compliments help improve body image

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Researchers find that a woman's negative body image can be rapidly improved by simple compliments.
If you look around you, all the images of women seem to promote the perfect body. It's easy to feel inadequate and researchers at Kansas State University say that feelings of anxiety and depression about your body start to appear in early adult life, even earlier. As you get older, you may start to feel more confident - but there are still fewer positive images of older women.

The researchers carried out a study among college students to find out what impact simple compliments and positive comments had upon self-image. Whatever the compliment - whether it was about appearance or personality, whether it was just a kind word or two of appreciation or a more complex statement - it had a big impact. The women said that compliments of any kind really improved their self-image. Further research is needed, but this could have all sorts of knock-on effects on sexuality and quality of life. So, go on, say something nice to the women in your life!

Source
American Psychological Society meeting 27th May 2005

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