Running head: THE EFFECTS OF SELF-ESTEEM ON THE IMAGE OF ONE’S OWN
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The Effects of Self-Esteem on the Image of One’s Own Body
[Student]
Bakersfield College
Abstract
Studies have shown that self-esteem varies on the image of oneself (Gillen & Lefkowitz, 2011).
This study should show how negative body image affects how individuals feel about themselves,
leading them to have low self-esteem (Verplanken & Tangelder, 2011). The current research
hypothesizes that individuals with lower self-esteem ratings lean towards having poor body
image ratings than those who do not have lower self-esteem ratings. A sample of Bakersfield
College students (25 female, 25 male) will be asked to take a survey in which they rate their selfesteem and choose their own perspective of their body image. The survey will help determine if
a correlation exists between low self-esteem and low body image ratings.
THE EFFECTS OF SELF-ESTEEM ON THE IMAGE OF ONE’S OWN BODY
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The Effects of Self-Esteem on the Image of One’s Own Body
Starting with looking in the mirror in morning to a friend’s night out, individuals assess
their appearance and question how others will notice them (Gillen & Lefkowitz, 2011). Social
influences are crucial in the development of body image proposing that differences between
one’s own opinions of appearance and the opinions of others may be crucial for comprehending
body image (Gillen & Lefkowitz, 2011). Body image is the conceptual picture individuals create
of what they think they look like even though it may not be how others actually see them (Body
Image, n.d.). Body dissatisfaction is becoming a rising concern that has been strongly related
with low self-esteem (Verplanken & Tangelder, 2011).
The purpose of this study is to show a correlation between low-self-esteem and low body
image. Low self-esteem correlates with body dissatisfaction in both men and women (Grieve &
Helmick, 2008). Some studies indicate that women are typically the most who suffer from low
self-esteem due to low body image, but there are other studies that indicate that both, men and
women, suffer about the same. Furthermore, researchers suggest that the greater discrepancy
between perceived body size, the more body image disturbance and lower self-esteem (Gillen &
Lefkowitz, 2011). This study should show how individuals with lower self-esteem ratings (X
variable) will consistently show a decrease in poor body image ratings (Y variable).
Method
Participants
For this correlational study, there will be 25 male and 25 female participants, selected
using purposive sampling since students need to meet the goal of having low self-esteem (Passer,
THE EFFECTS OF SELF-ESTEEM ON THE IMAGE OF ONE’S OWN BODY
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2014). Participants will be students attending Bakersfield College varying from different age
groups along with different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Procedures
The participants will be obtained through volunteer participation solicited from various
psychology courses on campus, with the incentive of extra credit from willing instructors who
have agreed to allow a brief announcement of the study within their classrooms. Students who
have decided to be a part of the study will be given a consent form in which they understand
what is being asked of them as participants (Appendix A). Students will then be given a survey
with regard to their self-esteem (see Appendix D) and body image ratings (see Appendices B &
C). As stated in the informed consent form, the participants will be debriefed if they so desire at
the end of the study.
Materials
The resources that will be used for this study are an informed consent and two surveys.
Both body image surveys are based on the same material with the exception that one survey is
solely for males and the other is for females. The male survey consists of 9 pictures of varied
body sizes of the male figure (Appendix B). Starting from the left, the male figures are petite in
weight size and increase as they go to the right. At the bottom of each picture there is a number
that corresponds with each figure. Thus, allowing the participant to choose their perceived body
image. The female survey consists of 9 pictures of varied female body sizes (Appendix C). The
body image start out petite on the left and increase as they go to the right. For each picture, there
is a corresponding number at the bottom.
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Results
This study will use a correlational study to define if a relationship exists between low
self-esteem and poor body image ratings. The descriptive statistics should show that there is a
negative correlation between the X and Y variables. As self-esteem decreases, so does body
image. Both male and female participants should show how they have both low self-esteem and
low body image. A scatterplot will be used to graph the findings of the surveys for the selfesteem and body image ratings (interval scales) (Heiman, 2011). The inferential statistics using
correlation and regression should show that there is a significant relationship between lower selfesteem leading to poor body image ratings among males and females.
Discussion
The current research proposal should show that poor body image can be due to lower
self-esteem. Previous studies showed how the perception of the self (participants) reported
poorer body image and lower self-esteem (Gillen & Lefkowitz 2011; Verplanken & Tangelder
2011). Studies have also shown that different cultures may have more positive outlooks on their
bodies than other cultures (Latner et al., 2011).
Although the sample population will consist of different ethnic groups, this study will
only show the results of Bakersfield College students and will be limited to its population and
sample size which may not be an accurate representation of the population. Social desirability
bias could also be a limitation as a confounding variable since participants may answer as they
think they should answer as opposed to what they really want to answer (Passer, 2014). Thus, the
participants may only be circling what they think they should be rather than what they actually
feel. Another confounding variable may be insecurities they may have about their body, but
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which cannot be assessed utilizing the proposed self-esteem and body image scales. For
example, if a different likert scale were used, responses may change substantially due to
differences in interpretation of the given categories of self-esteem and body image.
The implication for such a proposed study, however, may assist clinicians working with
potentially depressed clients. Investigating such risk factors associated with poor eating and body
image, as well as other symptoms of depression, may further allow clients progression in their
treatment.
Possible suggestions for future research could be to conduct this correlational study
comparing the low self-esteem to a high self-esteem group. Being able to manipulate one of the
variables may have a higher chance of having more significant causal findings as well, though
the ethics of such a study would need to be considered. Future suggestions may also be to find
more data about how body weight can be associated with poor body image (Duncan et al., 2013),
thus, resulting in the correlation of body weight, body image, and low self-esteem.
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References
Body Image. (n.d.) Psychology today: Health, help, happiness + find a therapist. Retrieved July
19, 2014, from http://www.psycholoogytoday.com/basics/body-image
Duncan, M.J., al-Nakeeb, Y., & Alan, M. (2013). Establishing the optimal body mass indexbody esteem relationship in young adolescents. BMC Public Health, 13(1), 1-6.
Gillen, M. M., & Lefkowitz, E.S. (2011). Body size perceptions in racially/ethnically diverse
men and women: implications for body image and self-esteem. North American Journal
of Psychology, 13(3), 447-467.
Grieve, R., & Helmick A. (2008). The influence of men’s self-objectification on the drive for
muscularity: Self-esteem, body satisfaction and muscle dysmorphia. International
Journal of Men’s Health, 7(3), 288-298.
Heiman, Gary W. (2011). Basic statistics for the behavioral sciences. Belmont, Ca: Wadsworth
Cengage Learning.
Latner, J.D., Knight, T., & Illingworth, K. (2011). Body image and self-esteem among Asian,
Pacific Islander, and white college students in Hawaii and Australia. Eating Disorders,
19(4), 355-368.
Passer, M. W. (2014). Research methods: Concepts and connections. New York, Ny: Worth
Publishers.
Verplanken, B., & Tangelder, Y. (2011). No body is perfect: The significance of habitual
negative thinking about appearance for body dissatisfaction, eating disorder propensity,
self-esteem and snacking. Psychology & Health, 26(6), 685-701.
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Appendix A
Informed Consent
I have been fully informed of the aforementioned research procedures with possible
benefits and risks. I understand that I may view my responses at a later date and be fully
debriefed on them if I so desire. I also understand that my responses will be maintained in a
confidential manner by the researcher. I voluntarily give permission for my participation in this
study. I know that the investigator and her associates will be available to answer any questions I
may have. I understand that I am free to withdraw this consent and discontinue participation in
this project at any time without penalty. I am also aware that I will receive a copy of this
Informed Consent form for my records at this time.
Participant printed name:________________________________________________________
Participant Signature: ____________________________________Date:__________________
[Researcher Name]
Supervisor:
Lora Larkin
Bakersfield College
Behavioral Science Department
1801 Panorama Dr.
Bakersfield, CA 93305
THE EFFECTS OF SELF-ESTEEM ON THE IMAGE OF ONE’S OWN BODY
Appendix B
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THE EFFECTS OF SELF-ESTEEM ON THE IMAGE OF ONE’S OWN BODY
Appendix C
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THE EFFECTS OF SELF-ESTEEM ON THE IMAGE OF ONE’S OWN BODY
Appendix D
Self-esteem Rating Scale
On a scale of 1 – 5, How would you rate your current self-esteem?
1
Low
2
Below Average
3
Average
4
Above Average
5
High
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