Beyond Appearance: How Bad Hair Days Affect Mental Well-Being

Page 1

Beyond Appearance: How Bad Hair Days Affect Mental WellBeing


The Research Methodology The study involved 60 men and 60 women, whose ages ranged from 17 to 30. Approximately half of the participants were white, 9% were black, 21% were Asian, while 3% were of Hispanic descent. The rest of the participants represented other races, while others refused to answer. The researchers basically asked participants about their definition of „bad hair‟ and the number of times in their lives they believed they had a bad hair day.

It is an experience everyone has every now and again: bad hair days. While the term may seem superficial, the rise of selfies and social media has made “bad hair days” a bigger deal than ever before. A study conducted by researchers from Yale University found that bad hair days can actually produce negative psychological consequences.

The researchers concluded that the perception of bad hair affects selfesteem, causes insecurity, and prompts self-criticisms; all these factors make self-image, which can take a toll on social relationships. Fortunately, various low-maintenance hair treatments, such as Keratin straightening and colouring, have become more accessible and affordable for both men and women who struggle with managing hair.


Bad Hair, a Ruined Self-Image? According to the researchers, people who experienced bad hair days feltIMAGE a reduced [INSERT HERE] sense of self-esteem, particularly in terms of competence in performance. Those surveyed reported that they become doubtful of their talents and skills on days when they think their hair does not look its best. Participants of the study also felt as if they were not as intelligent as others. Surprisingly, researchers also found that low self-image in relation to bad hair days were more evident among the male participants. According to researchers, the perception of a bad hair day also made people more insecure and self-conscious. The psychological responses in this regard, however, differ among men and women. Men have a tendency to feel more anxious, less confident, and distant from people. Women, on the other hand, tend to experience embarrassment when they are unable to manage hair. Bad hair days also increase the occurrence of self-criticism, with participants focusing more on their negative characteristics. The researchers asked men and women to describe who they were and bad hair prompted some to report flaws not even related to their appearance. Research proves that bad hair is more than a cosmetic problem; it affects mental wellbeing, as it elicits feelings of low self-esteem.


RESOURCES: http://circlesofsubiaco.com.au/services/keratin-hair-straightening/ http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-styling/surviving-bad-hair-day https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/face-it/201202/the-psychology-behindgood-hair-day

[BRAND LOGO]

[INSERT IMAGE HERE]


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.