The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Managing Body Image Dissatisfaction

Abstract

The aim of study wasto test effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT)in managing body image dissatisfaction(BID). The sample of N=16 participants (Woman:n=10 & Man:n= 6)was selected (M=20.0, SD=2.5) and divided into two groups;anexperimental group and a waiting list control group, having8 participants in each group. A baseline score was taken by using Body Dissatisfaction Scale (BDS; Tariq & Ijaz, 2015). Eight sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), adapted from CBT manual for depression (Naee, & Ayub, 2013), were conducted inanindividual setting on a weekly basis. The results suggested asignificant contribution of CBT in decreasing the level ofdissatisfaction related tobody image. The scores of pre and posttesting (p<.05)of experimental group verified the efficacy of CBT in treatingdissatisfaction associated withbody image.Thus, it can be concluded that CBT is effective in treating dissatisfaction related to the body image among adolescents and adults. The study helped in drawing attention towards treatment of body image dissatisfaction (BID) in the Pakistani population and contributed tothe empirical basis of effectiveness of CBT in managing body image anxiety.