A Brief Online Cognitive Dissonance-Based Intervention to Reduce Consideration of Cosmetic Surgery and Improve Body Image Among Chinese Women

Women who internalize the beauty ideal are more likely to consider cosmetic surgery. Dissonance-based interventions targeting thin-ideal internalization are effective at preventing eating disorders and associated risk factors.

In this study, we evaluated an online dissonance-based intervention targeting beautyideal internalization to reduce favorable attitudes toward cosmetic surgery among Chinese women. Chinese women who were dissatisfied with their appearance and who were considering cosmetic surgery were randomized to the intervention (n=127, Mage =35.49) or to the educational brochure control condition (n =98, Mage =32.97). Beauty-ideal internalization, favorable attitudes toward cosmetic surgery, facial appearance concerns, body satisfaction, and body appreciation were assessed at pretest, posttest, and 4-week follow-up.