Body Self-concept Research Articles

The Self-Concept and Its Relationship with Parental Socialization and Environment in Primary School Students.

Self-concept in this article is considered in physical education, with the physical self-concept being in the foreground, and it is analyzed in this quantitative study to determine whether it is related with socio-economic environment and parental styles, focusing on primary education students in the Region of Murcia. Primary education students are in a critical period for the development of self-concept. To assess self-concept levels, socio-economic and cultural environments as well as parental socialization styles, the PSPP, NSE and ESPA29 questionnaires were respectively used. They were used to collect data from 937 students across various educational centers in upper courses (4th, 5th and 6th grades of primary education) to uncover realities in child society and their relationship with self-concept. In the first objective, parental socialization styles are shown to be related with self-concept. However, in the second objective, it is seen that the socio-economic environment is more related with self-concept than parental styles. Finally, the results of the third objective show that there is indeed a relationship with the socio-economic environment and the student body self-concept, both at the family level and for fathers and mothers independently. It is important to consider both the parental styles and the socio-economic environment in which primary education students develop for the development of self-concept. Additionally, educational implications and new lines of research are suggested in this topic.

A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Taekwondo on Physical Self-Concept.

In this meta-analysis we explored whether Taekwondo practice has improved its participants' physical self-concepts. We also tested the mediating influence of factors in past research such as country, participant age, and measurement properties in their associations with these taekwondo effects. We reviewed extensive data collected from Chinese, English and Korean participants in articles listed in Cnki, Wanfang, PubMed, Web of Science, KISS, RISS, and DBPIA databases. First, we evaluated the methodological quality of these published articles with Review Manager 5.4 software according to the Cochrane System Evaluation Manual. Then, we used Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.7 software for statistical analysis. We based these analyses on nine research studies containing a total of 1154 participants. We found a significant association between taekwondo activity and an improved body self-concept (ES = .688, p < .001). Subgroup analyses showed a stronger association between these variables in Korea (ES = .90, p < .001) than in China (ES = .34, p < .001), a stronger association for children (ES = 1.04, p < .001) compared to adults (ES = .46, p < .001), and a stronger association with the modified version of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) (ES = .99, p < .001) than with the original PSDQ (ES = .57, p < .001). We concluded that practicing Taekwondo led to improved physical self-concept, especially in a younger population. In addition, the experimental design and measurement methods may influence the apparent link between these variables.

The Mediating Role of Body Self-Concept in the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Emotional Eating in Individuals with Obesity

Purpose: This research aimed to investigate the mediating role of body self-concept in the relationship between self-compassion and emotional eating in individuals with obesity. Materials and Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional correlational design. The population consisted of all individuals with obesity in Tehran in the year 2019, from which 378 participants were selected through convenience sampling in two stages. The study utilized the Emotional Eating Scale (Dutch, 1986), the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003), and the Body Self-Concept Scale (Marsh, 1996), all of which have acceptable reliability and validity. SPSS-V24 and Lisrel-V8.8 software were used for data analysis. Structural equation modeling was also applied to test the research hypotheses. Findings: The findings indicated that the model had a good fit. Furthermore, the results showed that the structural model of self-compassion on emotional eating, with the mediating role of emotional processing, in individuals with obesity has a significant relationship. Conclusion: Therefore, the findings support the presence of underlying psychological mechanisms in the occurrence of obesity. Accordingly, attention to these variables in prevention and designing more appropriate treatments provides aid to researchers and therapists.

Body image issues and self-concept dilemmas in adolescents living with thalassemia

ABSTRACT Thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder, involves an inability to produce sufficient hemoglobin and comprises two types: alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. Beta thalassemia’s immediate treatment measures include frequent blood transmissions, stem cell and bone marrow transplants; all capable of altering an individual’s idea of body image, self-concept, growth, and socialization, resulting in several emotional, psychological, and behavioral concerns. This study aimed at comprehending the dilemmas of body image and self-concept encountered by adolescents with thalassemia, particularly the resulting influence on physical development and socialization. Using the phenomenological interpretivism approach of qualitative research, data was collected using purposive-convenient sampling from 11 adolescents, both boys and girls ranging from ages 12 to 18, living with thalassemia and undergoing treatment. The research highlights adolescent concerns with body image, specifically with complexion, facial features, being either underweight or overweight, all amalgamating into a self-concept dilemma. Moreover, results point to the significant influence of experiences with family, peers, educational institutions, and hospital staff. Therapeutic attention, through regular screening and counselling, should be provided to adolescent thalassemia patients to address the psychological aspects of the chronic illness.

감각통합활동이 발달지체유아의 신체도식과 신체적 자아개념에 미치는 영향

연구목적: Ayres의 감각통합이론에 기반을 둔 발달장애유아 감각통합활동이 발달지체유아의 신체도식과 신체적 자아개념에 영향을 미치는지를 탐색하였다. 연구방법: 만 3~7세 발달지체유아 7명을 실험집단을 대상으로 12주에 걸쳐, 주 2~3회, 총 20회기의 감각통합 활동 중재를 실시하였고, 연구대상에 대한 신체도식은 감각 프로파일의 움직임과 신체자세 영역의 항목을 통해, 신체적 자아개념은 설문지를 통해 평가하였다. 수집된 자료는 중재전과 중재 후의 변화를 알아보기 위해 윌콕슨 부호순위 검정(Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test)으로 통계 처리하였다. 연구결과: 1. 감각통합활동을 통해 발달지체유아의 신체도식 중 움직임과 신체자세 하위요소가 중재 후에 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 나타내었다. 2. 감각통합활동을 통해 발달지체유아의 신체적 자아개념 중 외모, 체력, 건강 하위요소가 중재 후에 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 나타내었다. 결론: 발달지체유아가 내적 동기를 통해 환경에 적응할 수 있도록 중재환경을 조성하고, 반복적인 성공 경험을 통해 자신감 상승을 유도한 점, 나아가 적응 반응을 살펴 다음 단계 발달을 위한 명확한 중재를 제공하고, 일대일 개별 중재를 진행한 점이 종속변인에 긍정적인 영향을 미친 것으로 사료된다. 감각통합활동에서 중재자의 긍정적 피드백을 통해 유아가 성공경험과 자신감을 회복하고, 긍정적인 신체적 자아개념을 성취하도록 심리, 정서적인 측면에도 관심을 기울여야 할 것이다.

Research and psychosocial intervention with families of children and adolescents with eating disorders and obesity

Eating disorders and obesity in children and adolescents have been calling researchers and public health institutions’ attention due to severity and increasing incidence in the last decades. Studies on etiological factors of diseases related to alimentation are important to justify more efficient treatment methodologies. The family participation has been suggested by authors of systems theory, motivating us to study this issue from the point of view of individual, family and socio-cultural. This paper aims to present research data to construct a psychosocial attendance methodology to children and adolescents with eating disorders and obesity and their families. The method used is qualitative and includes a family life cycle interview, Multifamily Group, children and adolescents groups and the use of Rorschach test in adolescents. Partial data show that parents’ life history has influence on eating pattern of family; the genitors don’t comprehend the obesity as a multi-factorial syndrome and don’t recognize that their children are obese and have difficulty setting boundaries in general and regarding to food; conjugal and parental conflicts and grandparents interference have negative influence on children dietary and on treatment of obesity and eating disorders; the use of Rorschach test has identified: low self-esteem, anguish and distorted self and body perceptions, self-concept and self-image distortions in adolescents with eating disorders and depressive thoughts, dependency, fear of abandonment and distortion between ideal and real images in obese adolescents. These data are in accordance with bibliographic review regarding to family influence on each member’s health development and on family eating pattern. Parents and adults have a central role as in orientation and education as presenting appropriate models in terms of alimentation.

Sports, morality and body: The voices of sportswomen under Franco’s dictatorship

The aim of this research is to study sportswomen’s perceptions and experiences of women’s sport in Francoist Spain (1939–1975). The main objective is to analyse the social, moral and aesthetic elements that are present in the experience of these athletes. This study was carried out with an intentional sample of 24 women from Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Basque Country, Catalonia and Valencia. They were interviewed by a network of researchers from six universities. Outstanding results show the existence of social limitations to start sports practice (particularly in the post-war period); the importance of sport as a character-building aspect; sport’s remarkable influence on their body self-concept; and the incidence on sports of the mainstream moral discourse, which created a female model that even affected sports clothing. The main conclusion is that sportswomen in that period were pioneers and had to fight against most of society in order to develop their facet as athletes, as they would not follow the established model.

Psychosocial Well-Being of Adolescents Before and After a 1-Year Telephone-Based Adiposity Prevention Study for Families

PurposeBody image and psychosocial well-being play an important role in influencing health behavior of obese adolescents. Effects of family-based interventions on self-image and mental well-being are poorly understood. The effects of a parent-delivered intervention on psychosocial well-being in obese adolescents were investigated. MethodsA subset of secondary variables from the randomized-controlled Telephone-based Adiposity prevention study For Families (T.A.F.F. study) was analyzed. Multivariate analysis of variance and Pearson correlations were used to examine intervention effects on measures of body image, body dissatisfaction, self-efficacy, self-worth, and resilience and changes of standard deviation score of body mass index (BMI-SDS). ResultsA total of 154 randomized adolescents participated in this study (10–17 years). Body dissatisfaction decreased between baseline and follow-up (p = .013, confidence interval [CI], .03–.29), whereas self-efficacy increased (p = .022; CI, −1.73 to −0.14). Both were independent of the randomization arm. Initial body image was a negative predictor of self-efficacy after the intervention. Changes in body dissatisfaction and self-efficacy were positively correlated with changes in self-worth and resilience but were not related to changes in weight status. ConclusionsOverweight/obese adolescents have a high level of body dissatisfaction, more pronounced in girls than in boys. Interactions within families during overweight and obesity interventions need to be investigated in relation to adolescent body self-concept.

Heightened sensitivity to somatosensory stimuli in anorexia nervosa: an exploratory study with the SASTCA scale.

To analyse the presence of heightened sensory sensitivity in patients with anorexia nervosa, which seems similar but not identical to that described in patients with unexplained somatic symptoms or body dysmorphic disorder. We developed a sensory sensitivity scale in eating disorders (SASTCA), which measures the intensity of the response to specific somatosensory stimuli. The scale was completed by 48 patients with anorexia and a control group of 31 participants matched in age, sex and social and educational level. The results were compared with those obtained with the Barsky Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS). The reliability (Cronbach's/alpha, 0.946; Guttman/ split-half, 0.936) and validity (ROC, 0.933) of the SASTCA scale are indicative of its high sensitivity and specificity. The anorexia group had a significantly higher mean score on the SASTCA scale than the control group (p<.001). Similarly, the patients with anorexia had a significantly higher mean value on the SSAS than the participants in the control group (p<.01), although the difference was less extreme. The 2 scales correlated positively (r=.634). These preliminary results suggest the presence in Anorexia of heightened sensory sensitivity which differs from the sensitivity of the control group. This sensitivity has a significant relationship with that described in patients with somatic complaints about health (SSD) or appearance (BDD). Could this heightened sensory sensitivity help us to explain the process of forming the distorted body self-concept (I'm fat, sick, ugly) in all these patients? Once its presence has been confirmed in other patients with anorexia, their relatives and other patients with somatic disorders this heightened sensitivity could constitute the somatic endophenotype of anorexia?

Self-esteem Mediates Associations of Physical Activity with Anxiety in College Women

Why physically active people report lower anxiety than those who are inactive is not well understood. This study examined whether physical self-concept and self-esteem would mediate associations of self-reported physical activity with anxiety disorder symptoms in young women, a population with elevated risk for developing an anxiety disorder. College women (N = 1036, mean ± SD = 19.7 ± 2.9 yr) completed a physical activity recall, the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire, and the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses. Physical activity had inverse, indirect associations with symptoms of social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder that were expressed through its positive association with specific and global physical self-concept and self-esteem. The results were independent of similar relations with symptoms of major depressive disorder as well as the estimates of body fatness and use of psychotropic medications. These correlational findings provide initial evidence to warrant experimental efficacy trials of whether physical activity will reduce the risk of anxiety disorders in young women by positive influences on physical self-concept and self-esteem.

Self-concept in overweight adolescents

Background and objective. Adolescence is considered a critical stage of life, and one during which body image and self-concept are of particular importance for peer acceptance and approval. Body weight may impact on satisfaction or dissatisfaction in adolescent girls’ self-concept. The aim of this research was to determine the association between obesity and self-concept among adolescent girls.&#x0D; Methods. The study sample consisted of 40 overweight (BMI 25 - 30) 18-year-old girls in their last year of high school. A further 40 girls of the same age with a BMI of 18 - 25 formed a control group. The Offer Self-Image Questionnaire for Adolescents (OSIQ) was used to evaluate their self-concept. Descriptive statistical methods used in analysing the data included calculation of the median and standard deviation of variables, and t-tests were used to compare group differences, with p&lt;0.05 taken as the level of significance.&#x0D; Results. Statistically significant differences between two groups were found in two components of the OSIQ, sexual attitudes (p=0.044) and psychopathology (p=0.020), but no differences were found in other components such as impulse control, emotional tone, body and self-image, social relations, morals, family relations, mastery of the external world, vocational educational goals and superior adjustment.&#x0D; Conclusion. Our results suggest that overweight adolescent girls are less adjusted with regard to their sexual attitudes and present with more psychopathology as measured by the OSIQ compared with their peers of average weight.

Ostomy Options for Clients With Ileostomies

Quality of life with an external appliance has a significant impact on decision making when considering an incontinent or continent ostomy. A majority of clients with external pouches are content with their pouches and enjoy a good quality of life. For others, not having to deal with an external appliance is reason enough to consider surgery. Major physical and psychological lifestyle changes occur with the ileostomy, particularly with body image and self-concept (Reynaud & Meeker, 2002). Having an external appliance can lead to depression for the client because of skin irritation, leakage of stool, and difficulty securing the appliance. Other issues include moving wrong while sleeping, which can create an uncomfortable feeling of warmth across the abdomen, and putting on a seatbelt can be a challenge.

Getting Under the Skin: The Inscription of Dermatological Disease on the Self-Concept

Psychological factors have long been associated with the onset, maintenance and exacerbation of many cutaneous disorders (Newell, 2000, p. 8; Papadopoulos, Bor & Legg, 1999, p. 107). Chronic cutaneous disease is often visible to others so that social factors in coping and adjustment are thus highly relevant (Papadopoulos, et al., 1999, p. 107). Psychological factors tend, however, to be overlooked in the dermatological treatment domain when the skin problem is not regarded as life threatening (MacGregor, 1990 as cited in Papadopoulos, et al., 1999, p. 113). In 2004, at a meeting of the Editorial Board of Dermatology Nursing, the need for studies presenting the patient’s perspective on living with a skin disease was discussed. It was thought that qualitative exploration of the patient’s experience of cutaneous disease would provide medical and mental health care professionals with valuable insights and important information to help improve dermatology patient care (Hill, 2004, p. 399). More specifically, Papadopoulos et al. (1999, p. 122) posit that qualitative exploration of dermatological patients’ lived experience might help provide insight into the efficacy of coping strategies, the need for psychological counsel, and also the need for a more holistic understanding of this patient population rather than maintaining a dichotomous focus on either the mind or the body.Research in the field is currently characterised by (a) a predominance of quantitative studies, the design of which results in inevitable loss of in-depth information regarding the experiential world of sufferers of cutaneous disease (Hill, 2004, p. 399; Papadopoulos, et al., 1999, p. 122), and (b) a dearth of studies investigating the impact of disfiguring skin conditions on the self-concept. In order to address this lack, and simultaneously to contribute towards mapping the psychodermatological terrain in need of qualitative exploration, this paper attempts to integrate the findings of relevant studies in the fields of both dermatology and psychology, with specific focus on women suffering from psoriasis, a common chronic disorder of the skin, and the impact of this on the various dimensions of self. The primary aim of this paper is, however, to prompt qualitative - and, in particular, phenomenological - research in the area of body disfigurement and selfconcept in order to elucidate the lived experiences of people afflicted with disfiguring dermatological conditions, and as such to promote necessary change in the therapeutic domain.

Female body image following acquired brain injury

Primary objective: To investigate body image concerns and psycho-emotional health in females with acquired brain injury (ABI). Research design: Between subjects design. Methods and procedures: Thirteen females with ABI and thirteen matched controls were assessed on a number of variables relating to body image, self-esteem and affect. Main outcomes and results: Indicated that women with ABI had a different profile of body image dissatisfaction than controls and that in some areas it was significantly worse. The women with ABI had significantly lower self-esteem and higher levels of depression than controls and this related to body image. Conclusion: Significant changes in body image and self-concept are potentially damaging to quality of life post-injury and suggest a role for targeted therapeutic work with women with ABI.

Effects of Physical Exercise on Resources Evaluation, Body Self-Concept and Well-Being Among Older Adults

This study addressed the effects of a 14-week moderate physical activity program on resources evaluation, body self-concept and other health-related psychological variables among older adults. In a quasi-experimental design participants were divided into three groups and completed questionnaires twice, before ( t 1) and after ( t 2) the 14-week program. The experimental group participated in a supervised mixed exercise program of moderate intensity. The placebo attention control group took part in a foreign language course. The no intervention control group did not get any intervention/attention at all. The dependent variables were resources evaluation, body self-concept, trait anxiety, and psychosomatic complaints. Using the pretest data as covariates multivariate analyses of covariance revealed significant improvements in body self-concept in the experimental group compared to the control groups. No other significant differences could be detected. Results point to the positive effects of exercise on body self-concept even among older adults.

Body Attitude, Gender, and Self-Concept: A 30-Year Perspective

Two comparable samples of college men and women from 1966 and 1996 were compared using the Kurtz Body Attitude Scale (BAS; R. M. Kurtz, 1966). As predicted, women in 1996 reported a significantly more negative body attitude than women in 1966 did. No significant differences in the 2 samples of men were found. With the 1996 sample, the relationship between body attitude and self-esteem was also examined using Marsh's Self-Description Questionnaire-III (SDQ-III; H. W. Marsh & R. O'Neill, 1984). There was a significant relationship between body attitude and general self-esteem, and there were also complex gender differences in the relationships of various SDQ-III facets to body attitudes.

Gender Traits and Self-Concept as Indicators of Problem Eating and Body Dissatisfaction among Children.

The present study was designed to examine the role of gender traits, body mass index (BMI), and self-concept in predicting levels of problem eating and body dissatisfaction among both girls and boys aged between 8 and 10 (85% were Anglo-Australian Caucasian, 15% were Caucasians from non-English backgrounds). Two hundred and two children completed questionnaires, which examined problem-eating attitudes and behaviors, body dissatisfaction, gender traits, and self-concept. Children's height and weight were measured to determine children's BMI. Gender traits predicted problem eating for boys but not for girls. Self-concept was found to predict problem eating for both boys and girls. BMI was also a predictor of problems for girls. The only predictor of body dissatisfaction for boys and girls was BMI. The findings are discussed in light of previous research, which has been conducted, on adolescents. Further studies are needed to understand more fully the development of problem eating and body dissatisfaction before the onset of puberty and adolescence.

Correlates of body satisfaction and self-concept in third- and sixth-graders

The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between body satisfaction and self-concept in elementary school children. Participants were twentythree boys and twenty-eight girls from the third and sixth grades of a rural public school. Demographic information, body satisfaction scores, self-concept scores, and measures of parental attitudes were obtained from the participants through a questionnaire. It was hypothesized that body satisfaction and self-concept would be related in elementary school children. It was expected that this relationship would be impacted by grade, sex, and parental attitudes. A significant relationship existed between body satisfaction and self-concept in girls, but not boys. No grade differences were detected in the relationship. Body satisfaction was significantly correlated with body criticism from peers among sixth graders. A parent's body satisfaction appeared to be a significant predictor of the body satisfaction of his/her opposite sex child for both third — and sixth-graders.

Self-Concept of Female Patients Using Unconventional Cancer Therapy – Possible Implications for Better Understanding

Background: Unconventional therapy has become increasingly popular in cancer patients. Apart from some factors such as age and education there is little known about patients’ conviction and motivation. Patients and Methods: 206 patients having attended the oncologic after-care out-patient department were asked to complete a questionnaire and return it anonymously by mail. Patients’ self-concept and body image were assessed with the help of the ‘Frankfurter Selbstkonzept-skalen’ (FSKN) and ‘Frankfurter Korperkonzeptskalen’ (FKKS), respectively, by Deusinger (1986). Motivation and conviction were assessed with further questions known from the literature. Results: No statistically significant differences with respect to body image and self-concept have been found, although a trend was observed indicating that users have a higher ability to solve problems and to cope with difficulties. Further investigations revealed that users have a different attitude to conventional therapy and generally wish to play a more active part. Conclusion: Open-minded counselling of patients about unconventional therapy considering patients’ needs is necessary to avoid that patients will reject possibly curative or good palliative conventional therapy in cases of recurrences.

The Patient in a Halo Brace: Striving for Normalcy in Body Image and Self-Concept

This retroactive descriptive study identified specific psychologic concerns and needs of halo patients related to the halo experience. Thirty-eight subjects who had a halo brace applied in the previous 8 years completed the questionnaire. Responses were categorized and analyzed using nursing diagnoses. Results showed that distortion of body image, distortion of self-concept, grieving for losses, and striving for normalcy are among the phenomena experienced by halo patients.