Body image among secondary school boys and girls in south-west Nigeria: the role of neuroticism and self-esteem

Abstract

Objectives: Studies on body image in adolescent girls abound, but there are fewer on adolescent boys. This study examined gender differences in body image, and its relationship with neuroticism and self-esteem, separately by gender in secondary school students.

Methods: Data regarding body surveillance, body shame and appearance control belief of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale, in addition to neuroticism, and self-esteem were collected from 270 respondents. Analysis was done in group of gender, and differences in the scores were compared.

Results: The females reported significantly higher level of body surveillance than the males (t=-2.27, p=0.02). Self-esteem was a predictor of body surveillance in males (B=-0.16, p=0.02), and body shame in females (B=-0.20, p=0.00).

Conclusions: Some gender variation exists in body image objectification and its predictors. Self-esteem plays significant roles, albeit different predictive influences, in body image objectification of both genders.

Keywords: Self-esteem, neuroticism, body image, body shame, body surveillance, Nigeria