SPECIAL ISSUE: POSITIVE IMAGE AND EMBODIMENT
The European Journal of Counselling Psychology (EJCoP) announces a call for papers for a Special Issue entitled “Positive Body Image and Embodiment”. This special issue aims to collect empirical data on positive body image and related behaviors from different cultures and interdisciplinary perspectives.
Negative body image has been the focus of body image research of the last five decades. This has seen body image conceptualized as distress, concern or dissatisfaction in relation to physical appearance. Through the identification and definition of constructs and risk factors and the refinement of measurement tools, this research has allowed for the development of effective clinical interventions aimed at the prevention and treatment of body image concerns and eating disorders. While this research has been invaluable thus far, negative body image can only take us so far. This is because the reduction of negative body image alone does not represent or enhance health and well-being.
Positive body image, on the other hand, conceptualizes body image as a love and respect for the body that allows individuals to accept and admire their body, emphasize its assets rather than its flaws, appreciate its beauty and functionality and interpret information in a manner which is body-protective so that they feel confident and happy. Research on positive body image has seen the identification and definition of a variety of constructs (e.g., body appreciation, embodiment, body functionality, intuitive eating and mindful attunement), as well as the refinement and testing of psychometric tools for their measurement. This research guides the search for protective factors in order to inform the prevention & treatment of body image issues and eating disorders, the development of psychological flexibility, the enhancement of the experience and expression of sexuality, and the fostering of inclusion. The EJCoP is keen to facilitate this research movement through a special issue dedicated solely to positive body image.
Suitable topics for submission of manuscripts include:
• Identification of positive body image constructs as protective factors across different populations;
• Positive body image across different cultures;
• Psychometric testing of positive body image measures;
• How positive body image relates to behavior (e.g., eating habits, physical activity, and other appearance-related behaviors);
• The efficacy of intervention plans which aim to promote positive body image or to treat or prevent the development of body image related difficulties or disorders.
Original research papers and systematic reviews are welcome. All papers should be submitted through the EJCoP online submission platform, where you can also find general guidelines on the appropriate preparation of manuscripts. All published papers are listed by most well-known major bibliographic databases including EBSCO A-Z, CrossRef and Google Scholar, and DOAJ.
We will be accepting submissions for this special issue from 9th June 2021 until 9th June 2022.
Note: acceptance of papers is always pending blind peer review.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for any clarification of the above at ejcop.contact@gmail.com. We look forward to receiving your submissions.