Cognitive-behavioral treatment of women's body-image dissatisfaction.

Body-image dissatisfaction is a problem that affects a substantial minority ofwomen and cuts across various diagnostic groups. College women with a significant level ofbody-image dissatisfaction were randomly assigned to either a cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) program (n = 15) or to a waiting-list control group (n = 16). The CBT program consisted of six structured, individual sessions that applied cognitive-behavioral procedures to the problem of negative body image. At pretest, posttest, and 7-week foUow-up, multiple aspects of body image and other areas of psychosocial functioning were assessed. Relative to the control condition, the CBT program successfully improved affective body image, weakened maladaptive body-image cognitions, and enhanced social self-esteem and feelings about physical fitness and sexuality. Treatment effects were largely maintained at followup. After posttest, the control group received a 3-week treatment with immediate effects that generally replicated those obtained in the 6-wer program.

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