Body Image and Psychological Well-Being : A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The notion of body image encompasses various dimensions which is influenced by perceptual, attitudinal, cognitive, and behavioural dimensions, and it is a key aspect in psychological well-being. The purpose of the review was to synthesize literature available on the association between psychological well-being and body image, determine the mediating variables, gender, cultural differences, and note limitations and implications on future research. A comprehensive search utilizing esteemed databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar was performed. The search strategy covered articles issued between 2004 and 2025 (September) written in English and met present exclusion and inclusion criteria. In the end, 24 studies were part of the analysis. Most studies reported a significant positive relationship between psychological well-being and positive body image. The mediators wereself-esteem, self-compassion, resilience, and family communication. Females reported greater body dissatisfaction than males. Perceptions of body image were further influenced by cultural values and the sociocultural norms.The review concludes that body image is a good predictor of psychological well-being. Overall, the evidence highlights that the improvement of body image can make a great contribution towards improving psychological well-being. Therefore, promoting healthier body attitudes should be made a priority in mental health programmes, educational settings as well as future research.