NoBODY Left Behind: Examining Body Image in Nonbinary Individuals

• Author / Creator

  Chazan, Devon

• Despite progress in understanding body image's complexity and gender diversity, existing research often overlooks or inadequately addresses the experiences of nonbinary individuals. Traditional body image measurement and research studies typically fail to accommodate nonbinary identities at all, let alone in nonpathological contexts, thereby excluding a significant segment of the population from meaningful participation, and therefore inclusion and advancement of research or practice. This dissertation seeks to bridge this gap by exploring the connection between gender and body image through two studies.
  In Study 1, I present a validation of the Androgynous Body Dissatisfaction Scale (ABDS). The purpose of this study was to improve upon existing binary gendered measures of body dissatisfaction by creating one depicting androgynous figures with the goal of expanding its use to include gender-nonconforming individuals. I collected data from 200 nonbinary participants through Prolific. I used descriptive and correlational analyses to examine the scale’s psychometric properties and associations to other relevant psychosocial constructs. The validity evidence collected in support of the ABDS suggests that it not only works similarly to previous scales and is related to relevant psychosocial variables with similar magnitude as has been reported in the literature, but that nonbinary individuals feel it better represents their gender identity and prefer to use it over a gendered body dissatisfaction scale.
  In Study 2, I used a qualitative descriptive design to describe nonbinary students’ experiences of body image at post-secondary school. This study explored how body image is experienced in the school context from interviews with five nonbinary students. The purpose was to gain a better understanding of their personal accounts given that body image has been found to be an important influence on cisgender students’ grades, academic motivation, and classroom emotions. An inductive thematic analysis revealed a meaningful link between nonbinary gender identity and body image as was highlighted through three overarching themes: how participants’ construct their body image, how they feel their body image, and how their body image impacts them at school. By centering nonbinary voices and experiences in both studies, this research aims to contribute to a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of body image that respects and affirms diverse gender identities.
  These studies prioritized nonbinary individuals without pathology or comparison and showed that important quantitative and qualitative gains can be made by doing so. In conclusion, this dissertation not only advances empirical knowledge but also contributes to social change by shifting the common pathologizing discourse and promoting gender inclusivity in relation to the study and practice of body image. Noteworthy implications for research, practice, and theory are discussed.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • body image
  • nonbinary
  • body dissatisfaction

• Graduation date

  Fall 2024

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-jkh5-hj32

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Library with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.