This research examines how feelings of body dissatisfaction arise, are experienced, and are managed over time. Analyzing female bodybuilders’ life histories, I find that negative reflected appraisals and social comparisons problematized aspects of each woman’s body during adolescence, generating body dissatisfaction and self-concept damage. Each responded by engaging in long-term body projects. These projects assuaged negative emotions and bolstered feelings of self-efficacy. By showing how body dissatisfaction develops, is managed, and shapes the unfolding of lives, this article contributes to our understanding of how the body is implicated in emotion work and how context limits possibilities for repairing damaged self-conceptions.

这项研究调查了身体不满意的感觉是如何随着时间的推移而产生、体验和管理的。分析女性健美运动员的生活史，我发现负面反映的评价和社会比较使每个女性在青春期的身体方面出现问题，产生身体不满和自我概念损害。每个人都通过参与长期的身体项目来回应。这些项目缓解了负面情绪，增强了自我效能感。通过展示身体不满如何发展、管理和塑造生活的展开，本文有助于我们理解身体如何参与情绪工作，以及环境如何限制修复受损的自我概念的可能性。