AUTHOR=Cook Caryn , Crucianelli Laura , Filippetti Maria Laura 

TITLE=Changes in self-other boundaries modulate children’s body image attitudes

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

VOLUME=17

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2023.1181395

DOI=10.3389/fnhum.2023.1181395

ISSN=1662-5161

ABSTRACT=<p>One’s own face is a key distinctive feature of our physical appearance, yet multisensory visuo-tactile stimulation can alter self-other boundaries, eliciting changes in adult’s self-face representation and social cognition processes. This study tested whether changing self-face representation by altering self-other boundaries with the enfacement illusion modulates body image attitudes toward others in 6−11-year-old children (<italic>N</italic> = 51; 31 girls; predominantly White). Across all ages, congruent multisensory information led to stronger enfacement (η<italic><sup>2</sup><sub><italic>p</italic></sub></italic> = 0.06). Participants who experienced a stronger enfacement illusion showed preference for larger body size, suggesting increased positive body size attitudes. This effect was stronger in 6–7-year-olds compared to 8–9-year-olds. Thus, blurring self-other boundaries successfully modulates self-face representation and body image attitudes toward others in children. Our results suggest that increased self-resemblance through self-other blurring resulting from the enfacement illusion may reduce social comparisons between self and other and result in positive body size attitudes.</p>