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Synthesising 18 peer-reviewed studies published between 2004 and 2024, the review highlights heightened vulnerability among adolescents, young adults and individuals undergoing appearance-altering medical treatments such as chemotherapy, amputation or reconstructive surgery. Findings reveal a paradox: while digital platforms reinforce narrow beauty norms, they also provide space for counter-movements such as body positivity and body neutrality, particularly through peer-led campaigns and online communities. In palliative care contexts, illness-related bodily changes often disrupt identity and intensify appearance-related distress. Campaigns incorporating narrative storytelling, digital interventions and peer support were found to enhance self-image and psychological resilience. Despite these benefits, significant gaps remain, particularly in the lack of long-term, theory-driven and cognitive behavioural therapy-based interventions, as well as limited research tailored to chronic illness and end-of-life care. This review underscores the need for inclusive, culturally sensitive and technologically enabled approaches that foster body diversity, resilience and holistic psychosocial well-being across both general and clinical populations.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.25259\/ijpc_111_2025","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,10]],"date-time":"2026-02-10T12:43:35Z","timestamp":1770727415000},"page":"26-32","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.25259\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["The Psychological Impact of Societal Beauty Standards: A Systematic Review of Body Image Issues, Awareness Campaigns and the Role of Palliative Care in the Digital Era"],"prefix":"10.25259","volume":"32","author":[{"given":"Jaya","family":"Bharti","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Psychology, Acharya Narendra Dev Nagar Nigam Mahila Mahavidyalaya (Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University), Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India,"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"10894","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,10]]},"reference":[{"key":"10.25259\/IJPC_111_2025\/ref-1","author":"Cash","year":"2011"},{"key":"10.25259\/IJPC_111_2025\/ref-2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"460","DOI":"10.1037\/0033-2909.134.3.460","article-title":"The role of the media in body image concerns among women: A meta-analysis of experimental and correlational studies","volume":"134","author":"Grabe","year":"2008","journal-title":"Psychol Bull"},{"key":"10.25259\/IJPC_111_2025\/ref-3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"244","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jadohealth.2005.12.001","article-title":"Does body satisfaction matter? 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