There is growing recognition that the way we think and feel about, and behave towards our bodies is central to our health and well-being. Indeed, body image concerns and their associated myriad health implications affect people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities.
Despite growing acknowledgement of the impact of body image on health and wellbeing outcomes, and the importance of positive body image in the international research community, there remains a lack of comprehensive research in this area in an Irish context. This is particularly evident surrounding the relationship between body image and body dysmorphic disorders, and physical disabilities.
This research project involves the preparation and initial analysis of data to be collected by UCD Body Cognition Lab and UCD Youth Mental Health Lab from the BodyWise 2024 survey in the months preceding the HRB Summer Scholarship. Data from this survey and subsequent analysis aims to provide the first-of-its-kind baseline data on body-related attitudes and behaviours held and practised by the people living in Ireland in 2024 which will provide an insight into the body image concerns of people in Ireland from 18+ years.
This HRB summer scholarship aims to prepare the dataset for mediation and moderation statistical analyses. The supervisors will provide key research training in data preparation adhering to fair principles to maximise the use of the data. Following the completion of this work, further analysis will be carried out on the dataset, to form a clearer picture of body image in Ireland throughout life, and to inform future policy and practice.