Despite its high prevalence in women, few studies have examined lay knowledge and beliefs about negative body image. Yet, studies applying mental health literacy to body image problems suggest recognition of appearance concerns is poor, which could impede help-seeking. The present study extended previous work by investigating problem recognition, beliefs and help-seeking for aesthetic and functional (physical ability focused) body image concerns in women, and the role of self-objectification in help-seeking. A within-subjects online survey design employing the mental health literacy paradigm was undertaken in a sample of 210 female-identifying adults residing in Australia ( = 31.25, = 12.76). Overall, results indicated that recognition of body image problems depicted via fictional text vignettes was limited. Moreover, recognition, as well as ratings of perceived prevalence, distress, sympathy, affective reactions, and help-seeking recommendations and intentions, were significantly greater for aesthetic compared to functional body image concerns. Self-objectification displayed significant negative associations with help-seeking recommendations for aesthetic (but not functional) concerns, and was not associated with help-seeking intentions. Findings suggest that negative body image mental health literacy is poor in women, particularly in relation to body functionality. More research is needed to facilitate help-seeking and reduce the impact of body image concerns in women.

中文翻译：

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女性负面身体意象心理健康素养：探索审美和功能问题以及自我客体化的作用

尽管其在女性中的患病率很高，但很少有研究调查人们对负面身体形象的了解和信念。然而，将心理健康素养应用于身体形象问题的研究表明，人们对外表问题的认识很差，这可能会阻碍寻求帮助。本研究扩展了之前的工作，调查了女性对审美和功能（以身体能力为中心）身体形象问题的问题认知、信念和寻求帮助，以及自我客体化在寻求帮助中的作用。我们对居住在澳大利亚的 210 名女性成年人（= 31.25，= 12.76）进行了一项采用心理健康素养范式的受试者内部在线调查设计。总体而言，结果表明，对通过虚构文本小插图描述的身体图像问题的识别是有限的。此外，与功能性身体形象问题相比，审美方面的认可度以及感知普遍性、痛苦、同情、情感反应以及寻求帮助的建议和意图的评分明显更高。自我客体化与出于审美（而非功能）考虑而寻求帮助的建议存在显着的负相关，并且与寻求帮助的意图无关。研究结果表明，女性的负面身体意象心理健康素养较差，尤其是与身体功能相关的知识。需要更多的研究来促进女性寻求帮助并减少身体形象问题的影响。