Self-Confident Approach in Coping with Stress and Social Appearance Anxiety of Turkish University Students: The Mediating Role of Body Appreciation

Abstract

During adolescence, it can be very stressful for young men and women to accept their bodies. However, it is important during this stage of their development to accept their body as it is. If they cannot complete this task successfully, young people may experience stress and anxiety. This study aims to investigate the mediating effect s of body appreciation on the relationship between the self-confident approach and social appearance anxiety of Turkish female and male university students. Participants include 653 students from the Education Faculty of Usak University (349 women, 304 men). These participants were assessed with the self-confident approach with the Ways of Coping Inventory; (WCI), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), and Body Appreciation Scale (BAS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques were used employed for assessing the mediation model. Results indicate that general body appreciation acts as a mediator in the relationship between the self-confident approach and social appearance anxiety for women, men, and the total sample.