THE PROBLEMS OF DEFINITION AND MEASUREMENT OF NORMATIVE DISSATISFACTION WITH A BODY IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

In this article, the process of becoming the concept of “normative dissatisfaction with a body” in clinical psychology is considered. The prevalence of concerns associated with “overweight” and physical appearance overall transfers such an experience into the category of “normal”, normatively accepted for a modern human. Physical appearance dissatisfaction includes the moderate experience of one's own physical unattractiveness as well as the severe concern caused by “imperfect” appearance. Normative body dissatisfaction is the risk factor for developing neurotic, anxiety, phobic, psychosomatic, and eating disorders. It also may lead to severe restrictions of subject's social activity. The review of both Russian and foreign studies on dissatisfaction with a body in women and men is given in the article. Gender specificity in manifestations of physical appearance dissatisfaction is explained by evolutionary-biological reasons as well as by the need to meet modern standards of physical attractiveness and to demonstrate socioeconomic well-being. In accordance with clinical-psychological studies of the last 10 years, men and women are equally susceptible to developing symptoms of physical appearance dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and body image disturbances. Special attention is paidto methodological as well as on methodic aspects of measuring normative discontent with a body in clinical psychology. The concept of normative dissatisfaction with a physical appearance is widely utilized in both clinicalpsychological and gender studies of body image, eating disorders, self-esteem, and self-attitude. The analysis of techniques to evaluate a level of dissatisfaction with a body and perspectives to develop special diagnostic tools are presented. Among the most demanded methods of studying one's concerns about physical appearance are methods of conversation and interview, projective methods, tests, and questionnaires.