Future directions for positive body image research

• Six broad areas that specify directions for positive body image research are offered.
• Research needs to inform conceptual and model development of positive body image.
• Research needs to explore positive body image within and across developmental stages.
• Research needs to examine a self-protective cognitive style in positive body image.
• Research needs to explore positive body image within extant and new interventions.

The emergence of positive body image research during the last 10 years represents an important shift in the body image literature. The existing evidence provides a strong empirical basis for the study of positive body image and research has begun to address issues of age, gender, ethnicity, culture, development, and intervention in relation to positive body image. This article briefly reviews the existing evidence before outlining directions for future research. Specifically, six areas for future positive body image research are outlined: (a) conceptualization, (b) models, (c) developmental factors, (d) social interactions, (e) cognitive processing style, and (f) interventions. Finally, the potential role of positive body image as a protective factor within the broader body image literature is discussed.