Self - Esteem and Body Image Perception in a Sample of University Students

Öz

Problem Statement: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the relationship established between self-esteem and body image dissatisfaction, as subjective variables among young, female Romanian university students. Purpose of Study: We hypothesize that young women’s body dissatisfaction is related to their self-esteem level. The second purpose of this study is to verify whether self-esteem level and body size acceptance, which are subjective variables, are significantly correlated with BMI as an objective variable. Subsequently, we intend to estimate which range self-esteem in our research group is determined by self-perception of the body and what role BMI plays in this equation. Methods: The data were collected using measurements and questionnaires from a random sample of 160 female students (19-21 y.o.) assumed to be healthy and educated, with constant physical activity and having an urban lifestyle. Using descriptive statistics for each variable, we analyzed summaries of the sample and the collected data. For pares of variables we calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient (r), and we tested its statistical significance using the “t” test. Findings and Results: The BMI mean value – 20.93 kg/cm2 (SD = 3.30) is equivalent to a slander figure, corresponding to an average height of 1.65 m (SD = 0.06) and an average weight of ~ 57 kg (56.99 kg; SD = 9.70). A prevalence of body dissatisfaction was reported, with 79% of girls reporting being unpleased with their physical appearance. Self-esteem and body dissatisfaction were in a significant negative correlation: r (158) = - 0.36, p< .0005. We found a consistent, statistically significant correlation between BMI and body dissatisfaction (r (158) = 0.56, p< .0005). An important part (31%) of body dissatisfaction is determined by BMI and subsequently by weight and fat deposits. Conclusions and Recommendations: Due the statistical correlations calculated for self-esteem, body image dissatisfaction and BMI, we can conclude that selfesteem is better correlated with other subjective parameters (body image) than with objective and relatively stable measurements (BMI in our research). BMI values are useful predictors of body dissatisfaction risk among young females. Physical activity results in certain improvements in the physical and psychological parameters researched in the present paper. Therefore, we made some recommendations regarding motivation, exercise enjoyment and communication techniques aimed at promoting physical activities among young women. Key words: Weight; body dissatisfaction; cultural patterns; physical activity; self-image distortion.

Self-Esteem and Body Image Perception in a Sample of University Students

Abstract

Problem Statement: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the relationship established between self-esteem and body image dissatisfaction, as subjective variables among young, female Romanian university students. Purpose of Study: We hypothesize that young women’s body dissatisfaction is related to their self-esteem level. The second purpose of this study is to verify whether self-esteem level and body size acceptance, which are subjective variables, are significantly correlated with BMI as an objective variable. Subsequently, we intend to estimate which range self-esteem in our research group is determined by self-perception of the body and what role BMI plays in this equation. Methods: The data were collected using measurements and questionnaires from a random sample of 160 female students (19-21 y.o.) assumed to be healthy and educated, with constant physical activity and having an urban lifestyle. Using descriptive statistics for each variable, we analyzed summaries of the sample and the collected data. For pares of variables we calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient (r), and we tested its statistical significance using the “t” test. Findings and Results: The BMI mean value – 20.93 kg/cm2 (SD = 3.30) is equivalent to a slander figure, corresponding to an average height of 1.65 m (SD = 0.06) and an average weight of ~ 57 kg (56.99 kg; SD = 9.70). A prevalence of body dissatisfaction was reported, with 79% of girls reporting being unpleased with their physical appearance. Self-esteem and body dissatisfaction were in a significant negative correlation: r (158) = - 0.36, p< .0005. We found a consistent, statistically significant correlation between BMI and body dissatisfaction (r (158) = 0.56, p< .0005). An important part (31%) of body dissatisfaction is determined by BMI and subsequently by weight and fat deposits. Conclusions and Recommendations: Due the statistical correlations calculated for self-esteem, body image dissatisfaction and BMI, we can conclude that selfesteem is better correlated with other subjective parameters (body image) than with objective and relatively stable measurements (BMI in our research). BMI values are useful predictors of body dissatisfaction risk among young females. Physical activity results in certain improvements in the physical and psychological parameters researched in the present paper. Therefore, we made some recommendations regarding motivation, exercise enjoyment and communication techniques aimed at promoting physical activities among young women. Key words: Weight; body dissatisfaction; cultural patterns; physical activity; self-image distortion.

Keywords

• Weight
• body dissatisfaction
• cultural patterns
• physical activity
• self-image distortion

Kaynakça

1. Ali, S. M., & Lindstrom, M. (2006). Socioeconomic, psychosocial, behavioural, and
2. psychological determinants of BMI among young women: differing patterns
3. for underweight and overweight/obesity. Eur J Public Health, (June 2006) 16
4. (3), 324-330.
5. Andersen, L.B. (2009). Physical activity in adolescents. Jornal de Pediatria, 85(4), 281-
6. Anderson-Fye, E.P. (2011). Anthropological perspectives on physical appearance and
7. body image. In Cash. T. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of body image and human appearance
8. (pp. 15-22), Elsevier Inc.

9. Baumeister R.F, Smart, L., & Boden, J.M. (1996). Relation of threatened egotism to
10. violence and aggression: the dark side of high self-esteem. Psychological
11. Review, 103(1), 5.
12. Baumeister, R. F., Campbell, J. D., Krueger, J. I., & Vohs, K. D. (2003). Does high selfesteem
13. cause better performance, interpersonal success, happiness, or
14. healthier lifestyles? Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 4, 1-44.
15. Calado, M., Lameiras, M., Sepulveda, A., Rodriguez, Y., & Carrerra, M. (2011). The
16. association between exposure to mass media and body dissatisfaction among
17. Spanish adolescents. Women's Health Issues, 21-5 (2011) 390–399
18. Campbell, A., & Hausenblas, H. A. (2009). Effects of exercise interventions on body
19. image: A meta-analysis. Journal of Health Psychology, 14, 780–793.
20. Corral, C. D., Pérez-Turpin, J. A., Vidal, A. M., Padorno, C. M., Patiño, J. M., &
21. Molina, A. G. (2010). Principles of the olympic movement. Journal of Human
22. Sport and Exercise, 5(1), 3.
23. Cummins, R.A. (2000). Objective and subjective quality of life: An interactive model.
24. Social Indicators Research, 52, 55-72.
25. Daniali, S., Azadbakht, L., & Mostafavi F. (2013). Relationship between body
26. satisfaction with self esteem and unhealthy body weight management. J Educ
27. Health Promot, 2013(2), 29.
28. Erol, R.Y., & Orth, U. (2011). Self-esteem development from age 14 to 30 years: A
29. longitudinal study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(3), 607–619.
30. Frost, J., & McKelvie, S. J. (2005), The relationship of self-esteem and body
31. dissatisfaction to exercise activity for male and female elementary school,
32. high school, and university students. The Online Journal of Sport Psychology,
33. (4), 36-49.
34. Grao-Cruces, A., Nuviala, A., Fernández-Martínez, A & Pérez-Turpin, A. (2014).
35. Association of physical self-concept with physical activity, life satisfaction and
36. Mediterranean diet in adolescents. Kinesiology, 46(2014) 1, 3-11
37. Grogan, S. (2008). Body image: Understanding Body dissatisfaction in men, women
38. and children. Routledge Publish., 45-46.
39. Furham, A., Badmin, N., & Sneade, I. (2002). Body image dissatisfaction: Gender
40. differences in eating attitudes, self-esteem, and reasons for exercise. The
41. Journal of Psyhology, 136, 581-596.
42. Hogan, M.G., & Strasburger, V.C. (2008). Body image, eating disorders, and the
43. media. Adolesc Med, 19 (2008), 521–546
44. Markey, C.N., & Markey P.M. (2009). Correlates of young women’s interest in
45. obtaining cosmetic surgery. Sex Roles, 61, 158–166.
46. Martin Ginis, K., & Bassett, R. (2012). Exercise and changes in body image. In Cash,
47. T., Smolak, L. (Ed.), Body image a handbook of science, practice and prevention (pp.
48. -386), The Guilfo Press, New York.
49. Martin Ginis, K. A., Eng, J. J., Arbour, K. P., Hartman, J. W., & Phillips, S. M. (2005).
50. Mind over muscle? Sex differences in the relationship between body image
51. change and subjective and objective physical changes following a 12-week
52. strength-training program. Body Image: An International Journal of Research, 2,
53. –372.
54. Neagu, A. (2015). Body image: A theoretical framework. Proc. Rom. Acad., Series B,
55. (1), 29–38
56. Oktan, V., & Sahin, M. (2010). Examination of the relationship between the body
57. image and self- esteem of female adolescents. International Journal of
58. Human Science, 7(2), 543-556.
59. Poobalan, A.S., Aucott, L.S., Precious, E., Crombie, I.K., & Smith, W.C. (2010). Weight
60. loss interventions in young people (18 to 25 year olds): A systematic review.
61. Obes Rev., 2010(11), 580–592.
62. Pop, C. (2014). Comunicarea in educatie fizica si sport. Pro Universitaria Publishing,
63. -108.
64. Pop, C. (2015). Meeting student’s well being and educational goals in physical
65. education classes. Marathon, 7(1), 138-143.
66. Pop, C. L. (2015). Physical and health education for a resilient future workforce.
67. Revista Românească pentru Educaţie Multidimensională, 7(2), 133-140.
68. Rosenberg, M. (1989). Society and the adolescent self-image. Revised edition.
69. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press.
70. Runcan, P.L., & Iovu, M.B. (2013). Emotional intelligence and life satisfaction in
71. romanian university students: The mediating role of self-esteem and social
72. support. Revista de cercetare si interventie sociala, 40, 137-148.
73. Sepulveda, A. R., Carrobles, J. A., Gandarillas, A., Poveda, J., & Pastor, V. (2007).
74. Prevention program for disturbed eating and body dissatisfaction in a
75. Spanish university population: A pilot study. Body Image, 4, 317–328.
76. Singh, D., Peter Renn, P., & Adrian Singh, A. (2007). Did the perils of abdominal
77. obesity affect depiction of feminine beauty in the sixteenth to eighteenth
78. century British literature? Exploring the health and beauty link. Proc. R. Soc. B,
79. (1611), 891-895.
80. Sinclair, S.J., Blais, M.A., Gansler, D.A., Sandberg, E., Bistis, K., & LoCicero, A. (2010).
81. Psychometric properties of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale: overall and
82. across demographic groups living within the United States. Eval Health Prof,
83. (1), 56-80.
84. Schmitt, D.P., & Allik, J. (2005). Simultaneous administration of the Rosenberg SelfEsteem
85. Scale in 53 nations: Exploring the universal and culture-specific
86. features of global self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89(4),
87. –642.
88. Sonstroem, R. J. (1997). The physical self-system: A mediator of exercise and selfesteem.
89. In K. R. Fox (Ed.), The physical self: From motivation to well-being (pp. 3–
90. . Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
91. Szabó, M. K. (2015). The relationship between body image and self-esteem. European
92. Psychiatry, 30, 1354.
93. Tiggemann, M. (2011). Sociocultural perspectives on human appearance and body
94. image. In Cash, T., Smolek, L. (Edit), Body image (pp. 12-19), The Guilford
95. Press, New York.
96. Thompson, M. A., & Gray, J. J. (1991). Development and validation of a New Body
97. Image Assessment Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 64, 258–269.
98. Williams, P. A., & Cash, T. F. (2001). The effects of a circuit weight training program
99. on the body images of college students. International Journal of Eating
100. Disorders, 30, 75–82.
101. Yigiter, K. (2014). A comparative study on American and Turkish students’ selfesteem
102. in terms of sport participation: A study on psychological health.
103. Educational Research and Reviews, 9 (15), 531-534.
104. Zhang, L., & Leung, J.P. (2002). Moderating effects of gender and age on the
105. relationship between self-esteem and life satisfaction in mainland Chinese.
106. International Journal of Psychology, 37(2), 83-91.
107. APA (American Psychological Association). (2007, February 20). Sexualization of
108. girls is linked to common mental health problems in girls and women.
109. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 20, 2014 from
110. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070220005051.htm