Muslim headscarf may buffer against negative body image among women

Researchers have found that British Muslim women who wear a hijab generally have more positive body image, are less reliant on media messages about beauty ideals, and place less importance on appearance than those who do not wear a hijab.

These effects appear to be driven by use of a hijab specifically, rather than religiosity.

"While we shouldn't assume that wearing the hijab immunizes Muslim women from negative body image, our results do suggest that wearing the hijab may help some women reject prescriptive beauty ideals," said Dr. Viren Swami, lead author of the British Journal of Psychology study.

More information:
Swami, V., Miah, J., Noorani, N. and Taylor, D. (2014), Is the hijab protective? An investigation of body image and related constructs among British Muslim women. British Journal of Psychology, 105: 352. doi: 10.1111/bjop.12045

Provided by Wiley