790
Views
54
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

The Barbie Mystique: Satisfaction with Breast Size and Shape across the Lifespan

, &
Pages 200-211 | Received 14 May 2007, Accepted 14 Nov 2007, Published online: 12 Oct 2008
 

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of breast augmentation and breast lift surgery suggests that many women are dissatisfied with their breasts. This study analyzed women's and men's views about breast size and shape among 52,227 heterosexual adults, ages 18–65, who responded to an online survey. Although most women (70%) were dissatisfied with the size or shape of their breasts, most men (56%) were satisfied with their partner's breasts. Younger and thinner women worried that their breasts were too small; older and heavier women were more concerned with breast droopiness. Women who were dissatisfied with their breasts were more likely to report lower body satisfaction and to express concern about wearing a bathing suit in public. Further, dissatisfied women were also less willing to undress in front of their partner and were more likely to conceal their breasts from their partner during sex. These findings suggest that dissatisfaction with breasts is widespread among adult women.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For additional papers and information, please contact David Frederick at [email protected] or visit his website at http://dfred.bol.ucla.edu. We thank Elle magazine for access to the data from the ELLE/MSNBC.com Sex and Body Image Survey. The authors are grateful to the UCLA Graduate Division, the Center for Culture, Brain, and Development, and the department of Psychology, for providing financial support for the first author. We are also grateful to the National Institute of Health, who supported the first author, Grant # 1F31MH072384-01. Thanks also to Carol Edwards, who helped create the database.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.