The impact of appearance-focused social comparisons on body image disturbance in the naturalistic environment: The roles of thin-ideal internalization and feminist beliefs

a b s t r a c t Drawing on Festinger's (1954) social comparison theory and its modern applications, this research investigated the relationship between upward appearance-focused social comparisons and body image disturbance using ecological momentary assessment, which allows for examination of these phenomena in their natural context. Participants were 91 undergraduate women who answered questionnaires five times per day for five days using Palm Personal Data Assistant (PDA) devices. Analyses were conducted using hierarchical linear modeling, which allows for examination of longitudinal data both within and across participants. Results revealed a positive relationship between upward appearance-focused social comparisons and body image disturbance. Upward appearance-focused social comparisons were associated with greater body image disturbance for those with higher levels of thin-ideal internalization and with greater body checking for women with lower levels of feminist beliefs. These findings further illuminate the nature of the relationship between social comparisons and body image disturbance

Leadership in Compassionate Care: Executive Summary- Enhancing patient care by promoting compassionate practice.

The Leadership in Compassionate CareProgramme (LCCP) commenced in 2007 as athree year programme of work. Initial fundingwas received from a private benefactorand the two organisations involved in theprogramme (NHS Lothian and EdinburghNapier University) were required to matchthis funding. The work of the programmedeveloped beyond the initial funding. ALead Nurse and four Senior Nurses wereappointed to deliver the programme and awide range of staff from both organisationswere actively involved and participated withthis team. The impetus for this programmearose from local and National concernsabout care focussed on patients and theirrelatives experiencing a lack of empathyand compassion, acknowledging that it isoften small acts of kindness and a humanconnection, alongside clinical competencethat is appreciated by patients and relative

Leadership in Compassionate Care: Executive Summary- Enhancing patient care by promoting compassionate practice.

The Leadership in Compassionate CareProgramme (LCCP) commenced in 2007 as athree year programme of work. Initial fundingwas received from a private benefactorand the two organisations involved in theprogramme (NHS Lothian and EdinburghNapier University) were required to matchthis funding. The work of the programmedeveloped beyond the initial funding. ALead Nurse and four Senior Nurses wereappointed to deliver the programme and awide range of staff from both organisationswere actively involved and participated withthis team. The impetus for this programmearose from local and National concernsabout care focussed on patients and theirrelatives experiencing a lack of empathyand compassion, acknowledging that it isoften small acts of kindness and a humanconnection, alongside clinical competencethat is appreciated by patients and relative