Dissertations & Theses - Gradworks

Abstract:

The following study examined the relationship between body image and self-esteem among Southern California college students. While body image and self-esteem were the main variables being studied, the effect of culture may weigh as a substantial additional variable. For the purpose of this study, Cross-Cultural Psychology served as the acculturation factor when reviewing previous literature and discussing the results of the current study. The first research question explored the relationship existing between body image satisfaction and self-esteem in female students. Results suggested that how a person feels about the way they look is a strong predictor of how they will feel about themselves overall. The second research question, addressed the difference in the relationship between body image satisfaction and self-esteem among African American, Caucasian and Latina female students. The finding suggest that that the value of body image predicting self-esteem increased as you move from African American to Other to Latina to White. The results of this study can be used with university social groups, university cultural groups, and eating disorder (ED) professionals to develop programs and treatment plans based on the need of ethnic sensitivity.