Body appreciation, interest in cosmetic enhancements, and need for uniqueness among U.S. college students

- Body appreciation may relate to interest in appearance enhancement and expression.
- Body appreciation was significantly associated with higher need for uniqueness.
- African Americans/Blacks had a higher need for uniqueness.
- Body appreciation was not related to interest in cosmetic enhancements.
- Results suggest that body appreciation is related to striving for distinctiveness.

The aim of the current study was to examine associations between body appreciation and putative correlates that focus on self-enhancement and self-expression. Students (N = 261; mean age = 20.16 years, SD = 3.68; 60.9% female) from a non-residential college in the northeastern United States completed a questionnaire measuring body appreciation, interest in cosmetic enhancements, and need for uniqueness. Individuals with higher body appreciation and African Americans/Blacks reported significantly higher self-attributed need for uniqueness and significantly higher investment in a distinctive appearance. The association between body appreciation and interest in cosmetic enhancements (e.g., hair coloring) was not significant. Results suggest that body appreciation may be linked to a desire to express one's own unique qualities.