Vieillissement féminin: Comparaisons sociales sur l'apparence
Women's Ageing: Social Comparisons on Appearence

Summary/Abstract: In giving body appearance a central role, contemporary consumption culture dictates thinness and youth standards. In regards to these norms, ageing is a loss, especially for women. This study aimed at apprehending social comparisons on appearance handled by 40 to 79 years old women. Sixty seven Brazilian women took part in the study. The measured variables were: individual and collective self-esteem and age group identification. Other indicators included: comparison targets, their direction and emotional impact. Results show that with ageing, age group identification as well as lateral comparisons increase while negative emotional impact of losses regarding appearance decreases. Therefore, once the middle age crisis is over, older women gain in well-being by switching their former comparison paradigms.

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