TY - JOUR
T1 - Correlates of body image in individuals with endometriosis
T2 - the role of body compassion and endometriosis-related symptoms
AU - Van Niekerk, Leesa
AU - Ng, Cecilia Hoi Man
AU - Gibson, Louise
AU - O’Hara, Rebecca
AU - Mikocka-Walus, Antonina
AU - Norris, Kimberley
AU - Leonardi, Mathew
AU - Armour, Mike
AU - Evans, Subhadra
PY - 2026
Y1 - 2026
N2 - Knowledge pertaining to the interplay between body image, body compassion, and endometriosis-related symptoms is limited. The current study aimed to elucidate the relationships between body compassion, body image, and endometriosis-related symptoms, and explore whether endometriosis-related factors or body compassion are significant correlates of body image. Individuals with self-reported symptomatic endometriosis (n = 261), aged 18 years and over, provided endometriosis-related information and completed the Body Attitude Test and Body Compassion Scale. Regression analyses determined that the presence nonmenstrual abdominal pain, lower ability to defuse from negative body-related thoughts, lower body-related acceptance, and higher levels of common humanity were significant correlates of body image, as measured by the Body Attitude Test, in the current endometriosis sample. Preliminary support is noted for the potential inclusion of compassion-focused interventions for addressing body image concerns in endometriosis, with nonmenstrual abdominal pain, dyspareunia, nausea, and bloating viewed as important symptoms for consideration.
AB - Knowledge pertaining to the interplay between body image, body compassion, and endometriosis-related symptoms is limited. The current study aimed to elucidate the relationships between body compassion, body image, and endometriosis-related symptoms, and explore whether endometriosis-related factors or body compassion are significant correlates of body image. Individuals with self-reported symptomatic endometriosis (n = 261), aged 18 years and over, provided endometriosis-related information and completed the Body Attitude Test and Body Compassion Scale. Regression analyses determined that the presence nonmenstrual abdominal pain, lower ability to defuse from negative body-related thoughts, lower body-related acceptance, and higher levels of common humanity were significant correlates of body image, as measured by the Body Attitude Test, in the current endometriosis sample. Preliminary support is noted for the potential inclusion of compassion-focused interventions for addressing body image concerns in endometriosis, with nonmenstrual abdominal pain, dyspareunia, nausea, and bloating viewed as important symptoms for consideration.
KW - body compassion
KW - body image
KW - defusion
KW - endometriosis
KW - psychological wellbeing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105027579151&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/13591053251401720
DO - 10.1177/13591053251401720
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105027579151
SN - 1359-1053
JO - Journal of Health Psychology
JF - Journal of Health Psychology
ER -