Look at the bright (nature) side: Improving body image and associated protective factors andreducing body image threats with the Nature for Body Image (NBI) project

Abstract / Presentazione del progetto:

Recent studies have found a link between nature exposure and positive body image The ambitious aims of the Nature for Body Image (NBI) project are to broaden our knowledge on the extent to which different modalities of nature exposure are reliably associated with body image and related features and to improve body image in a cost-effective way - by means of nature exposure. To reach these goals, three studies will be conducted. The NBI project has the potential to shed light on the conditions that make exposure to nature effective for body image and related features and to improve body image in a cost-effective way.

Obiettivi del progetto

First of all, the preliminary study of the NBI project aims to contribute to the availability of valid and reliable questionnaires to investigate nature exposure and its benefits in the Italian context (preliminary study). Secondly, the study 1 aims to investigate whether virtual natural environments and outdoor nature exposure yield similar benefits to body image. This goal will be achieved by investigating the efficacy of virtual reality and outdoor nature exposure in enhancing positive body image and related protective factors (i.e., intuitive eating and self-compassion) and in reducing body image threats (i.e., physical appearance comparisons on social media, cosmetic surgery acceptance) in the general population. Shedding light on the most effective nature exposure modality (VR vs.outdoor nature exposure) to enhance positive body image and related protective factors and toreduce body image threats will allow us to develop a structured nature exposure intervention and to test its effectiveness - including its long-term effects - in a clinical sample of individuals at high-risk for BIDs (study 2). 

Durata prevista del progetto:

•  12/2023 - 12/2025

Settori ERC di riferimento:

• SH4_3 Clinical and health psychology

Responsabile / coordinatore scientifico:

• Silvia Cerea, RTD, Università di Padova, silvia.cerea@unipd.it

Collaboratori / gruppo di ricerca:

• Camilla Matera, PA M-PSI/05, 0000-0002-1791-4074 / Responsabile unità di ricerca FORLILPSI
• Amanda Nerini, PA M-PSI/05, 0000-0003-0045-0231