Body Image and Self-Esteem in Athletes and Non-Athletes
Start Date
April 2020
End Date
April 2020
Major Field of Study
Psychology
Student Type
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor(s)
Afshin Gharib, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Disordered eating, negative body image, and low-self-esteem all have an important impact on physical health and emotional well-being. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are two disorders that represent the extreme expression of abnormal eating behaviors, but there are many other variables related to disordered eating that may contribute to negative body image and low self-esteem. Studies have shown that participation in athletics in general may provide many health benefits and exercise leads to improved physical health. Previous studies have indicated that women involved in sports had a higher body satisfaction and a more positive body image than those who do not participate in athletics. Athletes have a higher self-esteem and body image than non-athletes. For example, in a study done by Wollenburg (2015), it was hypothesized that non-athletes will have a higher prevalence of disordered eating attitudes than athletes. The results of the study confirmed the hypothesis, and also showed that non-athletes reported greater difficulty in regulating their emotions. The purpose of the current study is to explore the possible differences in body image and self-esteem in athletes compared to non-athletes. The participants of this study will include both male and female athletes and non-athletes who attend Dominican University. In the current study, it is hypothesized that athletes will score higher on the self-esteem scale, and score lower on the body image psychological inflexibility scale.
Body Image and Self-Esteem in Athletes and Non-Athletes
Disordered eating, negative body image, and low-self-esteem all have an important impact on physical health and emotional well-being. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are two disorders that represent the extreme expression of abnormal eating behaviors, but there are many other variables related to disordered eating that may contribute to negative body image and low self-esteem. Studies have shown that participation in athletics in general may provide many health benefits and exercise leads to improved physical health. Previous studies have indicated that women involved in sports had a higher body satisfaction and a more positive body image than those who do not participate in athletics. Athletes have a higher self-esteem and body image than non-athletes. For example, in a study done by Wollenburg (2015), it was hypothesized that non-athletes will have a higher prevalence of disordered eating attitudes than athletes. The results of the study confirmed the hypothesis, and also showed that non-athletes reported greater difficulty in regulating their emotions. The purpose of the current study is to explore the possible differences in body image and self-esteem in athletes compared to non-athletes. The participants of this study will include both male and female athletes and non-athletes who attend Dominican University. In the current study, it is hypothesized that athletes will score higher on the self-esteem scale, and score lower on the body image psychological inflexibility scale.
Comments
This presentation was accepted for the Scholarly and Creative Works Conference at Dominican University of California. The Conference was canceled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic