Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

What can a parent or health professional say to a body shamed and bullied child? This research elicited and categorized the words that were reported as being most memorably hurtful and helpful to 341 young people (79.5% female; average age 25.03 years) who had been body shamed. The most memorably hurtful comments generally involved either vivid comparisons or derogatory nicknames. Fortunately, the supportive words of health professionals, peers, and parents can heal. They included 1) reframing comments that redirected attention toward a “silver lining” of an attacked feature (such as being “feminine” or “healthy” instead of “fat”), 2) impact-related comments that emphasize how a physical feature influences or is admired by other people (such as how one’s eyes or smile “light up the room”), and 3) identity-related comments that redefine one’s physical identify or self-concept (such as “striking” or “mesmerizing”). Knowing the types of words that were helpful in healing can also be useful to parents and peers as they prepare to comfort a loved one.

Keywords: Bullying, Body shaming, recovery, resilience, parents, obesity, adolescents, cyberbullying, school bullies