The relationship between body image and gender characteristics in youth [Full text]

Abstract

The relationship between body satisfaction, evaluation of body influence on the quality of life and gender identity as well as femininity and masculinity levels in young men (n = 115) and young women (n = 99) of student age are considered. The obtained results demonstrated no correlation of body attitude and gender identity level, a positive correlation of masculinity and evaluation of body influence on the quality of life throughout the sample and a positive correlation of masculinity and femininity and evaluation of body influence on the quality of life in gender-type subjects. In all cases body satisfaction was correlated with self-esteem. Self-esteem in young men and women was directly connected with their similarity to male gender group in males and females, and additionally self-esteem in young men was connected with masculinity.