What promotes body image resilience during adolescence?
Studies have identified five protective factors which promote resilience. These factors help to protect young people with body image issues and also other adolescent challenges such as smoking, taking drugs, as well as under age drinking and sexual activity.[12] • Family and peer support – first impressions and early learning influences values and ways of doing things, and how young people see the world. • Gender role satisfaction – some studies have suggested that for young women and girls the mixed messages they receive lead to confusion and despair. These messages include being relationship focused, family based and responsible for the care of others. This is in conflict with other goals of strength, independence and self reliance, whilst achieving high academic and work success, and attaining thinness. For some this leads to great confusion, which young women need to voice and discuss. • Physical self-esteem – In adolescence, body image becomes the most important aspect of girls’ g
