Body image, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships in adulthood

Abstract

This research assessed the association between body image, self-esteem and quality of peer and romantic relationships in adulthood. Several pre-existing self-report questionnaires were used, seven subscales were used to assess aspects of body image, one scale to assess self-esteem(RSE), one scale to assess peer relationships and one scale to assess romantic relationship satisfaction, intimacy, and trust. Participants were undergraduate students recruited from a New Zealand university and a total of 91 completed questionnaires were used for the analysis. The data was first assessed to ensure it was fit for analysis and then subsequent multiple linear regressions and correlational analyses were undertaken. Results found a relationship between body image and self-esteem and body image and romantic relationship quality. A relationship between self-esteem and peer and romantic relationships was also found. Additionally, it was found that aspects of body image were predictors for self-esteem and peer relationships and that self-esteem was a predictor for peer and romantic relationships.