Women’s Long-Term Reactions to Whole-Body Scanning: A Mixed Methods Approach

Grogan, S, Gill, S, Brownbridge, K, Warnock, D and Armitage, CJ (2015) Women’s Long-Term Reactions to Whole-Body Scanning: A Mixed Methods Approach. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 34. ISSN 1940-2473

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Abstract

This study investigated long-term impacts of whole-body scanning. A total of 91 women completed a retrospective online questionnaire. Quantitative data revealed that 31 (34%) reported greater body dissatisfaction since the scan, and only 6 (7%) reported increased satisfaction. Positive change in satisfaction was predicted by current body satisfaction but not by body mass index (BMI) at time of scanning or by age. BMI did not predict satisfaction with the scanner process or likelihood of being rescanned, though a longer gap between scanning and questionnaire completion predicted satisfaction with the process. Inductive thematic analysis of responses to an open-ended question suggested that although women were comfortable being scanned and wanted to see an accurate and objective view of their size and shape, they also felt threatened and vulnerable when seeing their bodies on the printed output. It is concluded that whole-body scanning should be used with caution, particularly with women with existing body concerns.