College Students' Attitudes towards Age-Related Changes in Physical Appearance.

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with young adults' concerns about age related changes in body image and their anticipated impact on psychosocial functioning. One hundred and sixty-seven college students completed the Body Image and Aging Survey, designed to assess age related issues in body image, the Peer Dieting Survey, the Bulimia and Drive for Thinness subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory II (EDI II), and the Zung Self Rating Depression Inventory. Results indicated significant correlations between the EDI II Bulimia subscale and the perception of future psychosocial functioning, as well as the consideration of surgical and non-surgical procedures to hide the physical signs of aging. Compared to males, females viewed a number of coping strategies as potentially more effective in dealing with changes in appearance, but also believed that age related changes in appearance would be more important in determining body satisfaction. Females were also more likely to consider cosmetic surgery, anti-aging strategies, and natural strategies to resist age related appearance changes. These findings suggest that while both genders have negative expectations about the effects of age related changes in appearance, females perceive aging as having a greater impact on overall attractiveness. (Contains 12 references.) (Author/JDM)