Investigation of Social Appearance Anxiety in University Students

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate Social Appearance Anxiety in university students according to gender, type of faculty, grade level, body weight and height. The present study was conducted on students of Sakarya University who were between the ages of 17 and 25. 247 of the participants were female and 256 were male. The social appearance anxiety scale filled in by 503 students was evaluated. T-test, one-way analysis of variance and LSD tests were used in statistical operations. In this study, the Social appearance anxiety scale score was found to be slightly lower in women than in men in the comparison made by gender. This difference did not show a statistically significant difference according to gender (p>0.05). The social appearance anxiety score differs statistically significantly according to the type of education and training faculties (p<0.001). Social appearance anxiety changes significantly according to education level (p<0.001). It was found that the students who were satisfied with their body weight and height had lower social appearance anxiety than the students who were not satisfied. Social appearance anxiety varies according to height and body weight category (p<0.001). In conclusion, social appearance anxiety was found to be similar according to gender in this study. It differed according to the field of study of the students. The social appearance anxiety levels of the students receiving sports education are the lowest. Anxiety levels of students who receive art education are higher than those who receive sports education. The social appearance anxiety of the students who did not receive sports and art education is the highest. In order to reduce social appearance anxiety, students should be supported in sports and art education and practice. Keywords: University student, Social Appearance Anxiety, Sports, Education, Age and Height