The debate about the negative impact of social media on young people and the vexed question of how to address this has been actively debated in both Australia and America. Time online has been correlated with negative mental health consequences including body image dissatisfaction and the development of eating disorders. Body image, our subjective picture of our physical appearance, established by self-observation and reactions of others is negative for many children and teenagers and is linked to decreased quality of life, poor mood, and unhealthy eating habits. While it is important to address this question at the widest social level it is also valuable to explore what can be done at home and especially how the relationship between mothers and their daughters is influential.
How Does Literature Help?
In 2023 Goslin and Koons-Beauchamp undertook a systematic review of peer reviewed articles and dissertations published between 1955 and 2020 that focussed on factors associated with a girl’s positive body image through the mother-daughter relationship. Thematic analysis revealed three key themes that related to the mother-daughter relationship as a facilitator for daughter’s positive body image.
Maternal Role Modelling of Healthy Behaviours
Mothers’ modelling of adaptive behaviours including ‘healthy weight behaviours, healthy choices, intuitive eating and taking pleasure in food, and engaging in healthy behaviours such as valuing physical activity’ were consistently associated with development of daughter’s positive body image.’ While some mothers reported times of struggling with negative self-image, they modelled effective ways to care for and accept themselves through these times.
Positive Body Talk and Communication
The mother speaking confidently about her own body and that of her daughter was also associated with more positive body image. This also extended to hearing mothers and grandmothers speak to and about each other in complementary ways. Where these conversations matched action, they were particularly helpful as were conversations about media and gender inequality and discussions related to feminist ideology.
Relational Connection
Relational safety between mother and daughter and their capacity to maintain a close relationship was a third key theme. The daughter’s confidence that she was fully accepted by her mother regardless of her appearance meant that she was safe to go to her mother with any concern including those related to body image. This connection also supported the daughter to create her own supportive social network based on the reliable connection she had with her mother.
In Conclusion
While it is crucial we address factors at every level of system that are unhelpful to young women in shaping their body image, it is equally valuable to identify those that are close to home. The mother-daughter relationship that can support and protect young women to establish a positive view of their body is a powerful resource. Mothers modelling healthy eating, caring for their body, exercising, and reducing weight and fat talk are all positive actions that will benefit both family members. Encouraging other family members, especially fathers and brothers to value and support these actions is also important. This provides all family members a much stronger base to address and resist messages from the wider world that can be so detrimental to young women’s health and well-being.
Goslin, A. and Koons-Beauchamp, D. (2023) The Mother-Daughter Relationship and Daughter’s Positive Body Image: A Systematic Review, The Family Journal: Counselling and Therapy for Couples and Families, Vol. 31(1) 128-139
