Title: A nudity-based intervention to improve body image, self-esteem, and life satisfaction

Authors: Keon West

Addresses: Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, Lewisham Way, London, SE14 6NW, UK

Abstract: An individual's body image has profound implications for their self-esteem and overall life-satisfaction, and is a significant predictor of the onset of eating disorders. Recent research suggested that nude activities improved body image, self-esteem, and life-satisfaction among participants who were predisposed to take part in such activities. This current research investigated whether a nudity-based intervention can have similar positive effects among non-nudist participants with low levels of positive body-image, and whether those effects endure. Fifteen participants completed measures of body-image, self-esteem, and life-satisfaction before, immediately after, and one month after participating in a 4-day, nudity-based intervention. Participants reported substantial improvements in all three outcomes that remained one month after the intervention's completion. Results suggest that nudity-based interventions can meaningfully and enduringly improve body image and related outcomes, even among non-nudists.

Keywords: nudity; nakedness; naturism; body image; self-esteem; life satisfaction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2020.111202

International Journal of Happiness and Development, 2020 Vol.6 No.2, pp.162 - 172

Received: 22 Aug 2019
Accepted: 02 Mar 2020
Published online: 13 Nov 2020 *

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