ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 presents the theoretical and empirical arguments for the importance of taking a multidimensional perspective on defining of the body image in the process of psychological diagnosis of body image distortions as well as the process of psychotherapy of eating disorders. When diagnosing the risk factors for the development of emotional and cognitive body image distortions in individuals presenting anti-health eating behaviors, the multi-factor model of specific risk factors for the development of negative self-esteem and body esteem and the resulting fat phobia and restrictive, compulsive, or bulimic eating behaviors should be taken into account (aside from age – adolescence and adulthood – and female gender). The proposed original multi-factor model of psychosocial risk factors for body image distortions and anti-health eating behaviors comprises: (a) early childhood experiences (deficits in the secure attachment style and in building an emotional bond); (b) traumas; (c) the specificity of the development of the personality structure (including the physical and mental Self – the Self concept); (d) family myths and messages about body image, eating, and food behavior patterns (including eating habits and the functions of food in the family); (e) pressure from and internalization of the current sociocultural body image standards.
