The Relationship with Self Esteem, Anxiety and Depression Controlling for Body Mass in Adolescents and Young Adults with Perceived Body Image Dissatisfaction

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to find the relationship between perceived body image dissatisfaction (PBID) and all psychological well-being measures i.e., Self Esteem, Anxiety and Depression in the age group of 15-25 years. Assessment tools used were The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), The Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Body Satisfaction Questionnaire (BSQ), and Body Mass Index. All psychological well-being measures were seen as significantly associated with all proportions of PBID. Self-esteem was found to be negatively correlated with PBID. Depression scores were found to have a strong positive correlation with PBID. Anxiety and abnormal eating behavior were seen to have a moderate positive correlation with PBID. Males were found to have higher level of self-esteem and lower levels of depression and anxiety than females. Females reported larger body image dissatisfaction as compared to males.