Body image and acceptance of cosmetic surgery in China and the Netherlands:A qualitative study on cultural differences and similarities

There is an established relationship between acceptance of cosmetic surgery and psychological factors, including body image. However, qualitative research among diverse cultural groups is needed to provide a more fine-grained understanding of the influences on women's attitudes towards cosmetic surgery. In this study, 20 Chinese and 20 Dutch women aged 18-50 years (MChinese = 34.20; MDutch = 34.70) participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. We identified three themes that captured the factors that women perceived to foster favor... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Wu, Yi
Mulkens, Sandra
Alleva, Jessica M.
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2022
Reihe/Periodikum: Wu , Y , Mulkens , S & Alleva , J M 2022 , ' Body image and acceptance of cosmetic surgery in China and the Netherlands : A qualitative study on cultural differences and similarities ' , Body Image , vol. 40 , pp. 30-49 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.10.007
Schlagwörter: Attitudes towards cosmetic surgery / Body image / Cross-culture / Qualitative research / China / Netherlands / SELF-OBJECTIFICATION / OF-LIFE / PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES / GENDER-DIFFERENCES / ADOLESCENT GIRLS / MENTAL-HEALTH / FEMALE BODY / ATTITUDES / DISSATISFACTION / WOMEN
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-28775232
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
Powered By: BASE
Link(s) : https://cris.maastrichtuniversity.nl/en/publications/b74d8d28-918f-411c-9aac-93d9d88e46f3

There is an established relationship between acceptance of cosmetic surgery and psychological factors, including body image. However, qualitative research among diverse cultural groups is needed to provide a more fine-grained understanding of the influences on women's attitudes towards cosmetic surgery. In this study, 20 Chinese and 20 Dutch women aged 18-50 years (MChinese = 34.20; MDutch = 34.70) participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. We identified three themes that captured the factors that women perceived to foster favorable attitudes towards cosmetic surgery: (a) sociocultural pressures (e.g., normalization of cosmetic surgery, appearance-focused peers); (b) intrapersonal characteristics (e.g., beauty-ideal internalization, social comparison); and (c) benefits of beauty (e.g., attracting men, socioeconomic benefits). Conversely, two themes captured the factors perceived to reduce favorable attitudes towards cosmetic surgery: (a) intrapersonal characteristics (e.g., unconditional body acceptance, self-confidence); and (b) external considerations (e.g., health risks, financial costs). Overall, Chinese and Dutch participants shared many similarities in their opinions about what might affect cosmetic surgery consideration. The most striking cross-cultural differences concerned perceived socioeconomic benefits of beauty (mainly Chinese women) and women's conceptualization of body appreciation. This study may enable a more comprehensive understanding about the factors influencing Chinese and Dutch women's attitudes towards cosmetic surgery, and the nuances in these relationships across these cultures.