Swami, Viren, et al. “Is the Hijab Protective? An Investigation of Body Image and Related Constructs among British Muslim women.” British Journal of Psychology, vol. 105, no. 3, Aug. 2014, pp. 352-363.

This study was an investigation of the relationship between wearing the hijab and body image among British Muslim women. They conducted a survey of 587 women and found that those who wore the hijab had a more positive body image, higher self-esteem, and greater satisfaction with their appearance than those who did not wear the hijab. The authors concluded that the hijab may serve as a protective factor for body image and related constructs among Muslim women. This study provides strong support for my thesis by presenting a thorough analysis of survey data that demonstrates how the Islamic concept of modesty, as exemplified by the wearing of the hijab, has a positive impact on body image and related constructs among Muslim women. The authors of the article are all well-established researchers in the field of psychology. Also, The article was published in the British Journal of Psychology, which is a reputable and peer-reviewed academic journal. This means that the article underwent a rigorous review process by experts in the field before it was accepted for publication. However, the study is limited by its focus on a specific sample of British Muslim women and may not be generalizable to other contexts or populations. 

• “The results indicate that the women who wore the hijab had significantly more positive body image, higher self-esteem, and greater satisfaction with their appearance compared to those who did not wear the hijab” (425).
• “These findings suggest that the hijab may serve as a protective factor for body image and related constructs among Muslim women, and that the positive psychological effects associated with the hijab may counteract the negative effects of Western beauty ideals and media images” (428).