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01-07-2018 | Original Paper

Body Image Assessment Among Community Mental Health Providers

Authors: Virginia Ramseyer Winter, Anna Brett, Danielle Pevehouse-Pfeiffer, Elizabeth A. O’Neill, Nancy Ellis-Ordway

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 5/2018

Abstract

Although research suggests an association between body image and mental health, with poor body image related to several mental illnesses, there is no research exploring mental health clinicians’ body image screening practices. This study aims to fill this gap among a sample of community mental health providers (N = 216). Using a cross-sectional design, clinicians in Community Health Centers were recruited through email using purposeful and snowball sampling in a Midwest state. The majority of participants identified as women (88.4%) and White (88.4%). Additionally, the mean age of the sample was 36.66 years and participants reported working an average of 8.44 years as a mental health provider. We ran descriptive and Chi square analyses. Results suggest a relationship between viewing body image screening as important and level of preparedness as well as level of preparedness and actual assessment. Training and assessment tools may be warranted to increase clinician’s preparedness. Additional clinical and policy recommendations are discussed.

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Title: Body Image Assessment Among Community Mental Health Providers
Authors: Virginia Ramseyer Winter
Anna Brett
Danielle Pevehouse-Pfeiffer
Elizabeth A. O’Neill
Nancy Ellis-Ordway
Publication date: 01-07-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 5/2018
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0194-8

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Body Image Assessment Among Community Mental Health Providers

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