Going Beyond Appearance: An integrative and longitudinal perspective on the body and identity in community adolescents and emerging adults

"This body is me." Previous researchers have highlighted the intricate connection between one's body and identity (Kling et al., 2018). Erikson already noted that one of the most important concomitants of achieving an optimal identity is feeling at home in one's body (Erikson, 1968). Given that both identity formation and body image come to the fore during adolescence, especially adolescents may view their bodies as their primary "identity project". Adolescents' bodies undergo a range of physical changes at a time when social acceptance becomes critical to their self-esteem (McElhaney et al., 2008; Wertheim & Paxton, 2012), which may lead to an increased focus on the body and appearance. However, adolescents are constantly exposed to societal expectations of appearance ideals. Adolescents may be vulnerable to internalizing these body perfect ideals as a way to represent their identity (Cash & Smolak, 2011; Nelson et al., 2018). As many fail to achieve these ideals, this increased focus on the body often results in body dissatisfaction (Cash & Smolak, 2011). Given that body dissatisfaction is an important risk factor for both body-related and non-body-related health issues, such as eating disorder symptoms (Palmeroni et al., 2020) or depression (Bornioli et al., 2021), examining the link between identity and the body is crucial given its consequences for individuals and society as a whole. However, research on personal identity and the body has mainly developed in isolation, with a lack of interdisciplinary work (Nelson et al., 2018). Furthermore, previous research has mainly focused on (negative) body image as a cognitive-affective concept, and as a result, body image researchers are now calling for the adoption of adaptive body-related processes in this research field such as positive body image and embodiment (Piran, 2016; Tylka, 2012).

In order to broaden the understanding of the identity-body interplay, the current dissertation project aims to examine this complex relation from a holistic perspective in community adolescents and emerging adults. This holistic approach includes both positive body image and embodiment (i.e., the complex experience of inhabiting the body beyond appearance), and assesses identity functioning from multiple perspectives (identity synthesis vs. confusion, identity dimensions, and identity statuses). In addressing our research questions, we will not only focus on females (as common in research) but also on males. This research proposal is guided by three main research objectives. Central to these goals are the use of cross-sectional and longitudinal designs to examine the identity-body interplay from a developmental perspective; and the interdisciplinary effort, combining expertise in developmental psychology and sociocultural theorizing. (1) The first objective focuses on the co-development of identity and embodiment over time. (2) The second objective aims to relate this identity-body interplay to body-related symptoms and behaviors, with focus on directionality of effects, co-development, and possible moderation/mediation mechanisms (e.g., sociocultural pressures). (3) The third goal takes a developmental-contextual perspective on the identity-body interaction, with attention for both the macro- and micro context. The current findings may provide important insights for future research and prevention and intervention programs.