How we look can affect our psychological well-being that’s why a lot of us today are depressed or stressed. Some of us even doubt that we are likable because of our appearance. We may doubt our worth, wonder if people really understand how we look, and ask how could they like us when we have an imperfect body or face.
Appearance judgment contributes to psychological and biological stress processes. A 2019 published paper examined the connection between self-reported appearance judgments and cortisol stress responses. They also conducted an online survey to assess self-reported appearance judgments and depressive symptoms. Findings of the study revealed that appearance judgment was linked with a stronger cortisol response (stress processes), higher self-reported stress, and greater depressive symptoms. They also found out that perceived negative appearance judgments by others, (when others evaluate your looks less positively) are connected with cortisol responses and the way an individual responds to stress. The study also revealed that both internal and external perceptions of appearance judgments were associated with perceived stress, and depressive symptoms for both men and women, in younger and older adults among adults aged 18-65. (1)
Reference:
- (1) Sabik, N. J., Geiger, A. M., Thoma, M. V., Gianferante, D., Rohleder, N., & Wolf, J. M. (2019). The effect of perceived appearance judgements on psychological and biological stress processes across adulthood. Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress, 35(3), 318–329. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2863
Ciele 