Body Image and Self-Esteem Among Adolescent Girls: Testing the Influence of Sociocultural Factors (original) (raw)
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Developmental Psychology, 2008
This study investigated the prospective predictors of body image in 9-to 12-year-old girls. Participants were 150 girls in Grades 4 -6 with a mean age of 10.3 years. Girls completed questionnaire measures of media and peer influences (television/magazine exposure, peer appearance conversations), individual psychological variables (appearance schemas, internalization of appearance ideals, autonomy), and body image (figure discrepancy and body esteem) at Time 1 and 1 year later at Time 2. Linear panel analyses showed that after controlling for Time 1 levels of body image, none of the Time 1 sociocultural variables predicted body image variables at Time 2. Body mass index (BMI; a biological variable) and psychological variables, however, did offer significant prospective prediction. Specifically, higher BMI, higher appearance schemas, higher internalization of appearance ideals, and lower autonomy predicted worsening body image 1 year later. Thus, higher weight and certain psychological characteristics were temporally antecedent to body image concerns. It was concluded that both biological and individual psychological variables play a role in the development of body image in children. Individual psychological variables, in particular, may provide useful targets in prevention and intervention programs addressing body image in 9-to 12-year-old girls.
The Impact of Body Image on Self-Esteem in Adolescents
Clinical and Counselling Psychology Review, 2019
The purpose of the current study was to explore the impact of body image on self-esteem in adolescent males and females. A sample of 290 adolescents (144= male, 146= females) was taken from different schools and colleges of Multan. Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Body Image Scale were used to measure the impact. Findings indicated a positive relationship between the level of confidence in the body image of adolescent males and their self-esteem. Moreover, it was found that adolescent females in their later years of adolescence had a high level of self-esteem as compared to adolescent females in their early years of adolescence. Independent t-test scores found that adolescent females report feeling more conscious about their body image and weight as compared to adolescent males. Results also showed that adolescent females disclose less information about themselves as compared to adolescent males.
Body Image in Adolescents and Its Relationship to Socio-Cultural Factors
Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice
This study was planned in order to analyze adolescent body image by age and gender, evaluate the relationship between adolescent body image and socio-cultural factors, and determine the extent to which variables such as age, gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI) can serve as predictors of the influential habits and strategies needed to achieve a better level of body satisfaction. Within this context, the data was collected using the following questionnaires: the Body Image and Body Size Variation Questionnaire; the Perceived Socio-Cultural Effects Concerning Body Image and Body Size Questionnaire; and a Data Form containing the demographic data. One thousand two hundred and eighty 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students were selected for the study using probabilistic, stratified, cluster sampling. The findings show a strong correlation between adolescent body image and socio-cultural factors, as well as between adolescent body image and the importance adolescents place on the media. From the regression analysis conducted using correlated variables, it was demonstrated that body satisfaction, habits and strategies with respect to body-building that pertain to adolescent body image can also be predicted by studying the attitudes and behaviours of the students' parents, peers, and the socio-cultural variables in evidence, such as the perceived effect of the media.
Why Adolescents Are Not Happy With Their Body Image
2014
Adolescent girls are highly aware of their appearance and invest significant cognitive and emotional resources in their relation with the physical body. A plethora of studies illustrate that in this developmental period, girls are over-concerned with weight and shape and are susceptible to adopt unhealthy appearance management strategies. The article aims to investigate characteristics of body image in adolescence as well as factors that contribute to body image dissatisfaction. We analyze the importance of appearance for adolescent girls by looking at its effects on self-esteem and at its role in social relations. We also focus on the mechanisms that shape the attitude toward body image by exploring how messages from media and significant others are received and internalized. Last, we analyze empirical data available for Romanian girls and suggest possible key areas for interventions
Sociocultural Influences on the Development of Body Image in Adolescent Boys and Girls
A negative body image can damage the psyche and the physical health of adolescent girls and boys. Appearance schemas develop as a cognitive processor for images pertaining to how a person should look in society. Determinants that lead to negative appearance schemas include media messages, family and peers, and environment (external forces). Study showed that girls were more prone to develop diet strategies because of their weight. However, perception of what is considered “acceptable” or “normal” in appearances are different from culture to culture. On study suggests evidence that the Westernization of some cultures have changed the way some Asian counties perceive what is “attractive” for a woman. Strong roots in cultural identity can help prevent negative body image in adolescent boys and girls. Tongan and Fijian boys all showed high level of BMI but low level of body dissatisfaction, similar evidence can be found within black and Latino cultures. Early prevention of body dissatisfaction is the key to a healthy development of the mind for adolescent children.
DECODING BODY IMAGE AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS: A DETAILED REVIEW
Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 2020
The image of the human body refers to the picture of our own body which we form in our mind, that is to say, how the body appears to ourselves. The image of the body is intensely emotional and intellectual (mythical or scientific) consciousness of the own body but abstract and fragmented. The picture appears to be one thing in itself, which is separate from the surroundings. Body image dissatisfaction is a problem of growing concern that affects psychological wellbeing. The present review-based analysis focuses on decoding body image discontentment among adolescent girls, as well as the aspects associated with the structure. The present paper examines and evaluates researches that explore adolescent girl's body disappointment. Several studies demonstrate that adolescent girls' body dissatisfaction is linked to poor psychological accommodation, eating problems, dependency on exercise, and other behaviours. Mass media exposure (TV, film, periodicals and the internet) is linked with obesity and a negative image in the body that might result in an unbalanced diet. Adolescents with a negative image of the body may become quite irritable and avoid social circumstances because they feel they are not suitable. Overthinking about the body can negatively influence the everyday life of the individual and lead to mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, or eating disorders or body dysmorphism in extreme circumstances. Encouraging people to develop an accepting and practical view of the body is an effective way to inspire them to feel more compassionate about their bodies. The role of parents and school counsellors in reassuring adolescents about their bodies has also been discussed in the paper.
Gender Differences in the Relationship between Body Image and Self-Esteem
Introduction: Although body image is a crucial part of the human development structure, there are few psychological publications regarding this subject. For a better perception of the body image, there must be a very clear notion about the way the individual feels about himself. Body image dissatisfaction is present in boys and girls, leading to self-esteem decrease. Self-perception and body image become critical for a proper development in youth, making the period very important. Objectives: This study is investigating the way in which dissatisfaction is linked to body weight and shape differentiates preadolescents’ self-esteem. The aim is to investigate the way in which social self-esteem in preadolescents has certain differences between genders in preadolescents and certain characteristics such as body mass perception, real body mass image and desired body mass image. Methods: 60 girls and 60 boys with ages between 11 and 14 years old, all of them with the same educational level,...
Cross-cultural determinants of pre-adolescent self-esteem and body image
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 2017
Background: The general framework of this research is that the sociocultural context and socio-economic conditions in different countries representing the macro-system of the transactional model of health, with varying degrees of cultural and linguistic familiarity and contact history. Culturally bound definitions of what is desirable and attractive play an important role in body image formation.Methods: The aim of this cross-cultural study was to evaluate the different effects of general self-esteem, eating attitudes and behaviors, and the subjective perception of body image in two representative samplings of urban pre-adolescents (9-12 years old). All the participants were given the following tests: LAWSEQ, ChEAT-26, CFD, and BEStudy.Results: The multiple linear regression analysis showed the relative contribution of each independent variable: the LAWSEQ score explained 12.8% of the variance of the BES score, followed by the BMI (9.3%), the ChEAT-26 score (9.1%), and the CFD (7.8%...