Relationship between body image and self-esteem of ninth and twelfth graders

by Hildebrandt, David R.

Body image and self-esteem are areas of importance when looking at high schoolaged students. Several research questions were addressed relating to the relationship between body image and self-esteem among ninth and twelfth grade males and females. Males and females in ninth and twelfth grade from a high school in west-central Wisconsin were given a five-question body image survey and a five-question self-esteem survey. Thirty-six ninth grade and 38 twelfth grade students participated in the study. Mean scores were tabulated for each of the item on the body image survey, for each item on the self-esteem survey, and for each survey as a whole. Pearson Correlation Coefficients were conducted to find possible significant correlations between body image scores and the self-esteem scores for the total group of participants, ninth grade males and females, twelfth grade males and females, and all males and all females of the participants. An independent groups t test found several significant differences between 111 groups based on gender for both the body image survey and self-esteem survey. These findings are consistent with past research, which has suggested that females have a lower body image and self-esteem than their male counterparts. Future research has been suggested for a greater population. The results could be further generalized to promote understanding ofthe correlation between body image and self-esteem. Suggestions for school counselors are examined. lV