SubscribeFashion Models: Unhappy and Lonely?
New research shows that fashion models have a lower self-esteem and feel less-fulfilled than people in other careers.
London researchers interviewed 56 models and 53 non-models from a range of different careers. About 63% were female.
The models felt relatively unfulfilled in their need for social relatedness (the need to feel connected with others), their need for autonomy (feeling free to make independent decisions) and their need for competence (the need to feel skilled and effective rather than incompetent in one’s daily activities).(From City University, London)
The research determined that these three needs are a prerequisite for happiness and good mental health. In other words - the models are not particularly happy in their work.
A second study (solely female models) found similar results.
The models also reported feeling lower self-esteem, and they endorsed more problematic personality features, such as feeling more suspicious of others, being more disconnected and lonely, more impulsive and reckless, more intensely emotional, and more self-centred.
Maybe the money is good or maybe for a short time the travel is exciting. But could you really envy the life of a model? They represent the epitome of objectification: seen as little more than a walking clothes-hanger.
More like this in Psychology
I think if you know your "career" has an average lenght of 2 years or however little theirs is, you'll be unhappy and unfulfilled.
ReplyThat, and not being able to eat a normal diet, thus not getting enough vitamins and nutrition, having to resort to smoking and drugs to keep the weight down...very few catwalk and Vogue models ever smile even though they're living out a "dream" career. And what about the Brazilian model who died from anorexia? Health and happiness are far more important than designer clothes.
Reply50 models and 50 non-models? What kind of research protocol is that? That'd be like announcing that oranges have low nutritional value after an analysis of 50 apples and the average of 50 "non-apple foods."
Some idiot "social scientist" jumping on the headlines for attention, with a preconceived result.
Let's see a study of 50 people each in the 50 most common professions, demographically adjusted and controlled for age and sex, using a questionaire picked over by third parties to eliminate leading questions.
ReplyGinger, 6 models died from anorexia complications over the past 2 years, but the only 2 that even got any sort of press were Ana Carolina Reston, the one you mentioned, and Luisel Ramos, an Uruguayan model who actually collapsed on the catwalk, was taken to the hospital and passed away. Another model just recently collapsed on the catwalk, some Russian one whose name I can't recall, but she recovered (at least for the time being).
ReplyMy opinion is that "career", "health" and "happiness" - almost incompatible things. Most models sacrificed their health for the glory, then still no one need
ReplyI like being thin but that is too far to the extreme!!! Models look terrible nowadays, at least that's my opinion.
ReplyJan--6 models have died? That's grim. I was mostly aware of the Ana Reston story, I guess because the media actually covered it.
ReplyLuisel Ramos's sister died as well. I saw the episode of the Tyra Banks show where she was interviewing models and discussing the ban on overly skinny models. There was one chick on there that weighed 88 lbs and she wanted to weigh 80! She was like 5'7" or 5'8" tall and she looked nasty. She SAID she was healthy, but she definitely didn't LOOK healthy. I can imagine why models are so unhappy...they can never eat anything, they're always being criticized about their bodies that they can't even change anything about, and they are probably really insecure in relationships.
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