Abstract
The Tripartite Influence Model of Body Image was adapted to examine the role of body satisfaction, perceived pressure to have
cosmetic surgery, and internalization of societal appearance ideals in understanding cosmetic surgery attitudes. Participants
were 2,048 men (N = 445) and women (N = 1,603) American college students from Florida who completed a range of measures that assessed levels of body satisfaction,
perceived appearance pressures, internalization of appearance standards, and cosmetic surgery attitudes. A structural equation
model was used to test hypothesized relations independently for men and women. Results indicated a moderate-good fit to the
data, with both internalization and body satisfaction mediating the effect of perceived pressures on cosmetic surgery attitudes.
Invariance testing revealed significant differences in pathway estimates between samples of men and women. The findings offer
further support for the Tripartite Influence Model of Body Image and indicate potential factors that may influence cosmetic
surgery attitudes.
cosmetic surgery, and internalization of societal appearance ideals in understanding cosmetic surgery attitudes. Participants
were 2,048 men (N = 445) and women (N = 1,603) American college students from Florida who completed a range of measures that assessed levels of body satisfaction,
perceived appearance pressures, internalization of appearance standards, and cosmetic surgery attitudes. A structural equation
model was used to test hypothesized relations independently for men and women. Results indicated a moderate-good fit to the
data, with both internalization and body satisfaction mediating the effect of perceived pressures on cosmetic surgery attitudes.
Invariance testing revealed significant differences in pathway estimates between samples of men and women. The findings offer
further support for the Tripartite Influence Model of Body Image and indicate potential factors that may influence cosmetic
surgery attitudes.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s11199-011-9983-7
- Authors
- Jessie E. Menzel, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
- Steffanie L. Sperry, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
- Brent Small, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
- J. Kevin Thompson, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
- David B. Sarwer, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Thomas F. Cash, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
- Journal Sex Roles
- Online ISSN 1573-2762
- Print ISSN 0360-0025