Journal of Psychology and Social Sciences
Vol. 3 No. 4 (2025): Journal of Psychology and Social Sciences

Self-Body Image in Emerging Adulthood

Yap, Felisha (Unknown)
Meiske Yunithree (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Dec 2025

Abstract

This study aims to examine differences in body image among emerging adults based on gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). Body image in this study consists of four dimensions: (1) self-perception of body shape, (2) Social comparison of body image, (3) Attentional focus on body image, and (4) Drastic shifts in body evaluations. A total of 389 emerging adults participated in the study. The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was used as the measurement instrument. Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test for gender and age differences, and the Kruskal–Walli’s test for BMI differences. The results show no significant differences in body image based on gender across the dimensions of self-perception of body shape (p = .219), comparing body image with others (p = .278), attitudes focused on body image (p = .363), and drastic changes in body perception (p = .138). Additionally, no significant differences were found across age groups in self-perception of body shape (p = .251), comparing body image with others (p = .092), attitudes focused on body image (p = .134), and drastic changes in body perception (p = .121). In contrast, a significant difference was found based on BMI (p < .001), indicating that BMI categories influence all four dimensions of body image. These findings suggest that body image among emerging adults is more strongly shaped by actual physical conditions such as BMI than by demographic factors. The results contribute to the development of psychological interventions aimed at addressing body image concerns in emerging adulthood.  

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

JPSS

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Neuroscience Public Health Social Sciences

Description

Journal of Psychology and Social Sciences is a scientific journal published by CV. Doki Course and Training. The papers to be published in JPSS are research articles (quantitative or qualitative research approaches), literature studies or original ideas that are considered to contribute to ...