Examining the Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Body Image Satisfaction among Female College Students in Chandigarh

Abstract

This study has explored the connection between self-esteem and body image satisfaction (body appreciation) in female college students in Chandigarh. The study was based on the modern paradigms of self-concept and positive body image and sought to establish the intensity and orientation of relationships between the global self-esteem and multidimensional body appreciation. The study design used was a quantitative, correlational, with a sample size of 153 undergraduate and postgraduate female students. The scales were used in the collection of data: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Body Appreciation Scale (BAS), which has good reliability. The descriptive statistics showed that the self-esteem (M = 28.32, SD = 4.97) and body appreciation (M = 48.39, SD = 10.65) were moderate to high. The correlation analysis performed by Pearson showed that there was a strong, positive and statistically significant relationship between the variables, r (151) = 0.664, p <0.001. Both hypotheses are supported as the results showed that the greater the self-esteem, the greater the body appreciation. The findings reveal the interdependence between global self-worth and body perceptions in female college students. The research highlights the significance of considering body image into mental health interventions and provides region-specific evidence in the Indian context. These findings have implications for developing strength-based, culturally sensitive approaches to promote psychological well-being in emerging adults.