Description
The Body Project
Note: This Opportunity is only available to those who are registered in the Clinical and Community Psychology MSc. (We aim to expand this group to the wider university in subsequent runnings).
The group is opened to genders outside of female.
What is it?
- The Body Project is a dissonance-based body-acceptance intervention created by Dr Eric Stice of Stanford University to help high school and college-age women resist sociocultural pressures to conform to the thin ideal and reduce their pursuit of thinness.
- A reduction in thin-ideal internalization should result in improved body satisfaction and improved mood, reduced use of unhealthy weight-control behaviours, and decreased binge eating and other eating disorder symptoms.
- The conceptual basis for the Body Project is that if girls and young women voluntarily argue against the thin ideal, this will result in a reduced subscription to this ideal and to consequent decreases in eating disorder risk factors and symptoms.
- While The Body Project was initially developed with female participants in mind, it can also be adapted for males. (UL Counselling service have adapted scripts that are gender neutral).
What does it involve?
- Participants will engage in 4, 1 hour group sessions with peers about critiquing the "appearance ideal" result in cognitive dissonance among those who originally endorse this apperance ideal, which causes them to reduce their subscription to the apperance ideal.
- Participants will also engage in post session homework, approximately 1 hour after each session.
- A minimum of 6, or max of 10/12 is required to run the session.
- This intervention involves a series of verbal, written, and behavioural exercises in which the students critique this appearance ideal.
- Theory to Practice Link: Theoretically, the act of publicly critiquing the thin ideal results in cognitive dissonance among those who originally endorsed this ideal, which causes them to reduce their subscription to the thin ideal.
Why is the group run? (Benefits to Group Participants)
- The Body Project has repeatedly been shown to effectively:
- Reduce body dissatisfaction
- Reduce Negative mood
- Reduce Unhealthy dieting
- Reduce Disordered eating
Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:
- Attend all scheduled Body Project sessions (4 per semester, 1 hour each).
- Engage in group discussions and activities in an open and respectful manner.
- Complete brief reflective exercises or take-home activities between sessions.
- Maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of other group members.
- Contribute to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for peers.
- Share personal reflections and experiences at a level they are comfortable with.
Benefits of Volunteering:
- Earn 8 PVA hours for your participation in the sessions and homework.
- Gain practical tools to challenge unrealistic appearance ideals.
- Build confidence and self-acceptance around body image.
- Develop skills to support mental health and wellbeing.
- Be part of a supportive peer group working toward positive change.
- Enhance communication and reflection skills in a group setting.
- Opportunity to become a trained Body Project facilitator in the future
Details of time commitment needed for role:
8 Hours (4 Hours divided across 4 weeks for attending the sessions and an additional 4 hours to complete post session homework).
Minimum time commitment per week:
1 hour p/week
Additional screening required for this role::
Opportunity is only available to those registered in the Clinical and Community Psychology MSc
Sustainable Development Goal:
Hei:
UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK
