Body image dissatisfaction and self-esteem in male and female college students
Authors
O'Brien, Fiona
Issue Date
2006
Degree
BA in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
This study investigated the discrepancy between the levels of body image dissatisfaction and self-esteem in 44 female and 46 male college students. All participants completed a questionnaire containing, silhouettes, the body shape questionnaire, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and open-ended questions in relation to diet, plastic surgery, social comparison theory, and the sources that put people under pressure to be thinner or more muscular. Females had a mild level of concern with their body shape, whereas males on average had no concern in relation to their body shape, as judged by the body shape questionnaire. There was no significant difference found between males and females in relation to self-esteem, (t(82) = -6.971, p <.01, 2-tailed).