Changes in Self-other Boundaries Modulate Children's Body Image Attitudes

Overview

Journal Front Hum Neurosci

Specialty Neurology

Date 2023 May 19

PMID 37206310

Authors

Caryn Cook

Laura Crucianelli

Maria Laura Filippetti

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

One's own face is a key distinctive feature of our physical appearance, yet multisensory visuo-tactile stimulation can alter self-other boundaries, eliciting changes in adult's self-face representation and social cognition processes. This study tested whether changing self-face representation by altering self-other boundaries with the enfacement illusion modulates body image attitudes toward others in 6-11-year-old children ( = 51; 31 girls; predominantly White). Across all ages, congruent multisensory information led to stronger enfacement (η = 0.06). Participants who experienced a stronger enfacement illusion showed preference for larger body size, suggesting increased positive body size attitudes. This effect was stronger in 6-7-year-olds compared to 8-9-year-olds. Thus, blurring self-other boundaries successfully modulates self-face representation and body image attitudes toward others in children. Our results suggest that increased self-resemblance through self-other blurring resulting from the enfacement illusion may reduce social comparisons between self and other and result in positive body size attitudes.

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