RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY DISSATISFACTION, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG YOUNG ADULTS
MAHUM AZHAAR, MARIAM ANWAAR, MEHWISH DAWOOD, MAHEEN ALI, SIDRA SHOAIB
Abstract:
In the light of Self-Discrepancy Theory (SDT) and prevalence of body dissatisfaction in the Pakistani culture, the current correlational survey-based research design was aimed to explore the relationship between body dissatisfaction, depression, and anxiety among adult males and females. The hypotheses of the study were: (a) there will be a significant relationship between body dissatisfaction, anxiety and depression (b) there will be a significant difference in the level of body dissatisfaction between male and female adults. For this purpose, 343 unmarried young adults (Male n=168 & Female n=175), age ranging from 16-30 years (M=22.07, SD=3.07) were recruited. The Body Dissatisfaction Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale were administered on the participants. The results revealed a significant positive correlation (p < .01) between body dissatisfaction depression (r=0.27) and anxiety (r=0.32) however, the relationship with depression was weak while the moderate relationship was found with anxiety. Additionally, anxiety was found to be a positive predictor of body dissatisfaction. There was further a significant difference (p < .01) exhibited in the level of body dissatisfaction in males and females, where females had a higher level of body dissatisfaction as compared to males. Moreover, a significant difference (p<.01) which signifies that females were more depressed than males. The current research has important implications for training programs, counseling, and psychotherapy.
Keywords:
Body Dissatisfaction, Anxiety, Depression, Young Adults
DOI: 10.52950/SS.2020.9.2.002
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APA citation:
MAHUM AZHAAR, MARIAM ANWAAR, MEHWISH DAWOOD, MAHEEN ALI, SIDRA SHOAIB (2020). Relationship between Body Dissatisfaction, Depression and Anxiety among Young Adults. International Journal of Social Sciences, Vol. IX(2), pp. 21-39. , DOI: 10.52950/SS.2020.9.2.002
Data:
Received: 10 Jun 2020
Revised: 30 Jul 2020
Accepted: 6 Sep 2020
Published: 20 Sep 2020
Copyright © 2020, Mahum Azhaar et al, mahum.azhaar@hotmail.com