Challenging Negative Body Talk In Female Friendships: Implications for Body Satisfaction, Support, and Shame

Participants (N = 179, M_age = 21) viewed one of five responses to their own negative body talk. Challenge + Body Functionality produced higher body satisfaction than Reassure/Challenge. Shame was marginally lower for Challenge + Empathy than Ignore. No other differences emerged. Findings offer preliminary insight into effective challenge-based responses.