In this study, we explored how women with varying relationships to disability and aging used photographs to represent their body image experiences. Seven middle-aged and older adult women with and without multiple sclerosis were asked to provide up to 10 photographs that represented their body image and complete a one-on-one interview. We used reflexive thematic analysis to develop themes and interpret the findings. Overall, the women expressed not only complicated relationships with their bodies, represented through symbolism, scrutiny of body features (e.g., posture, varicose veins, and arthritis) but also deep reflection linked to positive body image and resilience. These findings revealed not only the nuanced experiences women have with aging, disability, and gender but also the commonly experienced ingrained views of body appearance as each participant illustrated a difficult negotiation with the aesthetic dimension of their body image. Finally, we provide important implications of the use of visual methods in body image research.

在这项研究中，我们探讨了与残疾和衰老有不同关系的女性如何使用照片来表示她们的身体形象体验。七名患有和未患有多发性硬化症的中老年女性被要求提供最多 10 张代表她们身体形象的照片，并完成一对一的采访。我们使用反思性主题分析来制定主题并解释调查结果。总体而言，女性不仅表达了与身体的复杂关系，表现为象征意义、对身体特征（例如，姿势、静脉曲张和关节炎）的审视，而且还表达了与积极的身体形象和韧性相关的深刻反思。这些发现不仅揭示了女性在衰老、残疾、和性别，以及普遍体验到的对身体外观的根深蒂固的看法，因为每个参与者都说明了与他们身体形象的美学维度的艰难谈判。最后，我们提供了在身体形象研究中使用视觉方法的重要意义。