Self-compassion mediates the relationship between attachment anxiety and body appreciation in women and men: Evidence from Israel

Shulamit Geller*, Jonathan E. Handelzalts, Sigal Levy, David Barron, Viren Swami

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Previous work has suggested that self-compassion mediates the relationship between attachment anxiety and body appreciation but is limited by a reliance on college women from North America. To extend existing knowledge, we examined associations between peer and romantic partner attachment anxiety, self-compassion, and body appreciation in a community sample of women and men from Israel. A total of 597 adults (353 women, 244 men; age M = 29.45 years) completed Hebrew translations of measures of romantic partner and peer attachment anxiety, self-compassion, and body appreciation. Path analysis indicated that a model in which self-compassion mediated relationships between peer and romantic partner attachment anxiety – in parallel – and body appreciation had poor fit. However, mediation analysis indicated that self-compassion mediated relationships between peer and romantic partner attachment anxiety – in isolation – and body appreciation in isolation. These results highlight the importance of considering interpersonal dynamics in models of positive body image and point to possible interventionist routes for promoting greater body appreciation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number110912
JournalPersonality and Individual Differences
Volume179
Early online date14 Apr 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2021

Keywords

  • Attachment anxiety
  • Body appreciation
  • Insecure attachment
  • Peer attachment
  • Self-compassion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

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