PS4001 Psychology: Thematic Analysis of Body Image in Young Adults

This report presents a thematic analysis of body image perceptions among young adults, utilizing Braun and Clarke's methodology to analyze interview transcripts. The study explores the influence of family and peers on body image, revealing key themes such as differing perceptions between men and women, and the impact of family dynamics (positive vs. negative messaging). The research identifies a heightened awareness of body image among university students, with perceptions often tied to physical appearance and weight. Family and peer groups play a significant role in shaping these perceptions, with parental influence particularly impactful. The study acknowledges limitations in sample size and scope but highlights the value of understanding diverse body image perceptions. Desklib provides access to this report and other solved assignments for students.

Running Head: THEMATIC ANALYSIS ON BODY IMAGE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
BRAUN AND CLARKE’S THEMATIC ANALYSIS ON THE SUBJECT OF
BODY IMAGE

THEMATIC ANALYSIS ON BODY IMAGE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
Abstract
Young adults have often been seen to be dissatisfied with their body image due to a
discrepancy in ideal and actual size of the body. Such discrepancy often leads to obesity,
depression, weight cycling and eating disorders. In the current study the concept of body image
is explored through qualitative analysis of interview transcript according to Braun and Clarke’s
thematic analysis technique. The study was conducted in order to qualitative analyze the
perception that young adults develop from their family and peers with respect to body image.
Selection criteria for participants of the study was age between 18 to 25 years, ethnicity of
students comprised of Asian, Black, Indian, Middle Eastern, Iranian, White, Bangladeshi and
Asian. The results for the study was drawn using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis (TA)
which is a qualitative data analysis method allowing to identify patterns of meaning across the
interview dataset. There are two broad themes that have been identified in the focus group with a
few sub-themes. The study discourse depicted an increased awareness regarding the concept of
body image. The concept of body image concerned the perception developed from physical
appearance and weight. University students were increasingly aware regarding their body image
and there was varied discussions surrounding the same. The theme family includes family and
peer groups, the groups were found to be important in developing perception of students around
body weight. The study is limited in nature due to limited number of participants and limited
questions. However, the strength of the study is in determining the concept of body image, the
varied ways in which it is perceived amongst men and women.
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THEMATIC ANALYSIS ON BODY IMAGE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
Table of Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Method.............................................................................................................................................5
Results..............................................................................................................................................6
Discussion........................................................................................................................................7
Conclusions......................................................................................................................................8
References........................................................................................................................................9
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THEMATIC ANALYSIS ON BODY IMAGE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
Introduction
Young adults have often been seen to be dissatisfied with their body image due to a
discrepancy in ideal and actual size of the body (Diedrichs, Lee & Kelly, M. (2011. Such
discrepancy often leads to obesity, depression, weight cycling and eating disorders. Body weight
and shape are the factors determining body image. A study conducted by Bearman et al. (2006)
depicted that as many as 40% girls and 23% boys remain dissatisfied from their actual and ideal
body size. Due to such discrepancy, young adults are at a higher risk for low self-esteem and
poor self-concept. Studies have found that such young adults might face higher risks from
chronic body image problems. Researchers have often used body dissatisfaction, body image and
body image discrepancy in an interchangeable manner. Body image appears to be a subjective
concept for one’s physical appearance developed on the basis of self-attitude and self-perception,
as described by Cash and Pruzinsky (2002).
In another paper by Cash (1194) and Tiggermann (1996) body image was described to be
comprising of two components of perception of appearance of an individual’s body. Cognitive or
rational and emotional response to such perceptions can contribute to analysing the index of
body satisfaction. It was further considered to be integral the importance of parental,
psychological and peer factors that contribute to the perception of body image. Children and
adolescents were found to learn from their families and friends, regarding the concept of body
image. The role of the family and peer relationships along with psychological well-being has a
relation with body dissatisfaction, as per Dohnt and Tiggermann (2006). Determination of such
influential factors can enable researchers develop targeted prevention programs. In the current
study the concept of body image is explored through qualitative analysis of interview transcript
according to Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis technique (Flick, 2008). The study will aim at
exploring the following research question.
Research Question: “What messages do young adults perceive from family and peers, with
regards to body image?”
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THEMATIC ANALYSIS ON BODY IMAGE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
Method
The study was conducted in order to qualitative analyze the perception that young adults
develop from their family and peers with respect to body image (Braun et al, 2019). In order to
conduct the analysis, the following are the methods that were followed.
Participants
The study collected data by third year undergraduate student for their project, from a
group of undergraduate students. 16 undergraduate students took part in the study. Selection
criteria were age between 18 to 25 years, ethnicity of students comprised of Asian, Black, Indian,
Middle Eastern, Iranian, White, Bangladeshi and Asian. The participants needed to be fluent in
spoken English. The participants were divided into 4 focus groups comprising of 4 to 6
participants. Exclusion criteria for the participants were that in case an individual was
undergoing any counseling or therapy for issues regarding body image.
Materials
The materials for the study included 25 questions set designed for the focus group
interview. The questions set were divided into five key topics, such as social media, body image,
peers, family and university. A digital voice recorder was used for recording of the interview.
Procedure
The study obtained an ethical approval as well as permission from participants for using
their data for the purpose of teaching. The participants were formed into 4 focus groups where
they had been provided with 25 questions divided in five-key topics. The focus group lasted for
45-55 minutes and at the end of the focus group session, the participants were thanked and
provided with debrief sheets. The focus group sessions were recorded using a digital voice
recorder and then transcribed in an exact manner. Every participant were provided with a
pseudonym to not to disclose their identity. The Braun and Clarke’s model of thematic analysis
was undertaken to arrive at the results of the study.
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THEMATIC ANALYSIS ON BODY IMAGE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
Results
The results for the study was drawn using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis (TA)
which is a qualitative data analysis method allowing to identify patterns of meaning across the
interview dataset (Howitt, 2010). There are two broad themes that have been identified in the
focus group with a few sub-themes.
Theme 1: Body Image (“Men” vs. “Women”)
The study discourse depicted an increased awareness regarding the concept of body
image. The concept of body image concerned the perception developed from physical
appearance and weight. University students were increasingly aware regarding their body image
and there was varied discussions surrounding the same. Body image for men and women had
different perceptions as muscular body image was often considered for men, whereas lean body
mass for female. Nutrition was considered to be important for developing an appropriate body
image along with exercise.
Researcher: Do you think men and women experience body image differently?
Rochelle: Yeah 100% different, yeah, I think that someone even said once, like, for a guy to get a
girl all he really needs is a good personality or money, like when it comes to guys it’s not as
intense, I feel like women in general are more forgiving of flaw, like yeah he’s fat but I’ll take
him, he’s a bit short like, but when it comes to women guys are so picky, she has to be this, she
has to be that, the pressure for women to look a certain way all comes from men, in my opinion,
can I just say that, there project these view of how they see celebrities, who are half photo
shopped anyway and they project it onto women, so for women it’s much more intense whereas
for men, they get forgiven a lot more or if there a bit over weight or of their ugly, they can still
get any girl they want.
There was seen a large number of belief surrounding the concept of body image. Body
image was found to be reflective of body weight, where too much fat was associated with
negative body image leading to dissatisfaction. Various students found themselves surrounded by
critics of body weight and body image.
Theme 2: Family (“Positive” vs. “Negative”)
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THEMATIC ANALYSIS ON BODY IMAGE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
The theme family includes family and peer groups, the groups were found to be
important in developing perception of students around body weight. Family especially was
seemed connected in developing a positive body image amongst students. When as young adults,
they develop a comparison with their family in order to form a cognitive perception regarding
their body image. Families allowed formation around either positive or negative body image.
The perception of physical appearance is formed at childhood.
Researcher: Do different members of your family give you different messages?
Max: Yes my aunties and uncles give me lots of positive messages because I don't see them as
much but my parents are more critical. I put on weight all the time. My jeans will look a bit tight
and they'll tell me you need to get bigger size jeans or you need to start going to the gym.
The impact of family’s perception was found to be enormous in developing a positive or
negative perception regarding physical appearance as young adults later in lives. From childhood
families and peer groups helps develop the idea behind which body form depicts which type of
physical appearance. For example, a fat person is associated with a negative physical appearance.
Dissatisfaction regarding body image was thus found to be emotionally percolating from family.
Parental association was found to be significant in the interview transcripts for developing an
idea regarding physical appearance, hence satisfaction or dissatisfaction.
Discussion
Thematic analysis of Braun and Clarke’s leads to this last stage of report writing, post
initial coding and reviewing of themes. The findings from the result were that the concept of
body image was not similar between men and women. There is a gender induced difference
between the way that they body image of men and women is perceived (Lefkowitz and Gillen,
2009). Such perception connects the body image of men being muscular and that of female being
more lean in nature. There is an association with film stars with an ideal body image. The above
findings are similar to research outcomes that have been arrived at by Bearman et al (2006).
Their studies also reflected various discrepancies in ways in which young adults perceive their
body image and the growing dissatisfaction towards the same. Further studies can be undertaken
to explore the factors behind the growing discrepancies in body image amongst men and women.
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THEMATIC ANALYSIS ON BODY IMAGE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
In the second theme analysis it was revealed that parental modelling, in the formation of
self-perception and growing body image discrepancy. The findings are similar to the research
conducted by Dohnt and Tiggermann (2006), where studies depicts those parents are emotionally
affectionate, warm and available, that enables balancing these qualities with high expectations.
There creation of emotional context enables children to develop emotional security, healthier,
safer and be well-adjusted compared to peers. Parental nurturing is integral in developmental
process as young adults. Nurturing was considered to have a lasting impact on the children’s
body image. Thus, young adults who grew up with more nurturing support from their parents
developed a positive body image as against those who were less cared for. The scope of this
study can be extended further to understand in detail ways in which parental support can act as
an intervention method to shape body weight.
The study is limited in nature due to limited number of participants and limited questions.
The study further does not aim at exploring in detail any intervention method that can be
undertaken for creation of a positive body image. However, the strength of the study is in
determining the concept of body image, the varied ways in which it is perceived amongst men
and women. Moreover, it is also able to explore parental intervention as a way of developing
body image amongst young adults.
Conclusions
The study depicts a qualitative analysis of body image in connection to perception from
family and peers. The study conducted reveals a connect between development of an image with
that of family’s contribution in shaping that image. Though the study has several limitations, it
has certain strengths as well and it can be used for development of further studies in the future.
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THEMATIC ANALYSIS ON BODY IMAGE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
References
Bearman, S.K., Martinez, E., Stice, E, Presnell, K. (2006). The Skinny on Body Dissatisfaction:
A Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Girls and Boys. J Youth Adolesc. 35(2), 217-229.
Braun, V., Clarke, V., Hayfield, N., & Terry, G., (2019). Handbook of research methods in
health sciences. See chapter 4 Thematic Analysis pp 843-860.
Diedrichs, P.C., Lee, C., & Kelly, M. (2011). Seeing the beauty in everyday people: A
qualitative study of young Australians’ opinions on body image, the mass media and
models. Body image, 8(3), 259-266.
Dohnt H, & Tiggemann, M. (2006). The contribution of peer and media influences to the
development of body satisfaction and self-esteem in young girls: a prospective study.
Dev Psychol. 42(5), 929-36
Flick, U. (2008) Managing Quality in Qualitative research. London SAGE Publications.
Howitt, D. (2010). Introduction to qualitative methods in psychology. UK Pearson Publishers.
See chapter 4 Focus group. See also chapter 7 Thematic Analysis. This is freely available
as an e-book on the university icat system.
Lefkowitz, E & Gillen, M. (2009). Emerging adults’ perceptions of messages about physical
appearance . Body Image, 6(3), 178-18.
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