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Body image satisfaction and self-esteem in Thai female adolescents: the moderating role of self-compassion

  • Kullaya Pisitsungkagarn EMAIL logo , Nattasuda Taephant and Ploychompoo Attasaranya
Published/Copyright: October 11, 2013

Abstract

Aim: Body image satisfaction significantly influences self-esteem in female adolescents. Increased reports of lowered satisfaction in this population have raised concerns regarding their compromised self-esteem. This research study, therefore, sought to identify a culturally significant moderator of the association between body image satisfaction and self-esteem in Thai female adolescents. Orientation toward self-compassion, found to be particularly high in Thailand, was examined.

Materials and methods: A total of 302 Thai female undergraduates from three large public and private universities in the Bangkok metropolitan area responded to a set of questionnaires, which measured demographic information, body image satisfaction, self-compassion, and self-esteem. Data were analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analyses. Self-compassion was tested as a moderator of the relationship between body image satisfaction and self-esteem.

Results: Although its effect was relatively small, self-compassion significantly moderated the positive relationship between body image satisfaction and self-esteem. The relationship became less stringent for those with high self-compassion.

Discussion: The cultivation of self-compassion was recommended in female adolescents. In addition to moderating the association between body image satisfaction and self-esteem, the benefits to health and well-being of generalizing this cultivation are discussed.


Corresponding author: Kullaya Pisitsungkagarn, PhD, DPsych, Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, E-mail:

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Received: 2013-6-2
Accepted: 2013-8-26
Published Online: 2013-10-11
Published in Print: 2014-8-1

© 2014 by De Gruyter

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