Adaptive Appearance Investment and Quality of Life

Nichole Wood-Barcalow; Tracy Tylka; Casey Judge

doi:10.1017/9781108758796.022

Chapter 22 - Adaptive Appearance Investment and Quality of Life

from Section II - The Journey Toward Positive Body Image

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 February 2021

Nichole Wood-Barcalow ,

Tracy Tylka and

Casey Judge

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Nichole Wood-Barcalow: Affiliation:
Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center, Columbus, Ohio
Tracy Tylka: Affiliation:
Ohio State University
Casey Judge: Affiliation:
Ohio State University

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Summary

Appearance investment refers to the importance we place on our appearance and its significance to our identity, or who we are [1]. Our appearance-related practices (i.e., things we do to make ourselves look better) can reflect our appearance investment. Basing how we “should” look and which appearance-related practices we pursue on media appearance ideals can be quite harmful to our body image and well-being (see Chapter 4) [2–3]. Yet, certain appearance-related practices may not always be harmful. For example, I (Tracy) occasionally polish my toenails and enjoy trying new colors. I don’t do it for anyone else – after all, I live in Ohio, and my feet are almost always covered with socks. I know that if all of the nail polish suddenly disappeared, I wouldn’t be distressed or question my worth as a person.

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Positive Body Image Workbook
A Clinical and Self-Improvement Guide
, pp. 342 - 360

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108758796.022 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2021

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References

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