Body image and its relationship to some psychological variables among students in the secondary stage of education in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

   Introduction. Body image perceptions among adolescents are intrinsically linked to psychological factors such as self-esteem and social comparison. The secondary stage proves to be a critical period for exploring identity, with body image playing a vital role in shaping mental well-being and interpersonal relationships.   Aim. The current research aims to examine the differences and to identify the relationship between adolescents in body image and some psychological variables (life satisfaction – psychological adaptation) according to the gender variable (males – females).   Methodology and research methods. The sample of the current research consisted of 433 adolescents, with 220 male students and 213 female students; their ages ranged between 16–19 years. To achieve the research objectives, the author adopted the descriptive correlative approach to conduct this study, in addition to using the scale of body image, life satisfaction, and scale of psychological adaptation. After verifying the stability and validity of the tools, they were applied to the study sample.   Results. The results revealed differences between male and female adolescents in body image in favour of adolescents, meaning that adolescents are more satisfied with their body image than female adolescents. In addition, there are differences between male and female adolescents in the degree of psychological adjustment in favour of adolescents. However, there are no differences between male and female adolescents in the degree of life satisfaction and there is a positive, statistically significant correlation between life satisfaction and psychological adjustment. Furthermore, there is a positive, statistically significant relationship between the body image scale and the psychological adjustment scale.   Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive investigation into the complex interplay between body image and various psychological variables among adolescents in the secondary stage. This study adds to scientific knowledge in several ways. First, it provides insights into the complex relationship between body image and psychological variables among adolescents in the secondary stage, which can inform future research in this area. Second, the study’s findings on gender differences in body image and psychological adjustment can contribute to our understanding of how gender affects mental health outcomes in adolescence. Third, the study highlights the importance of addressing body image issues among adolescents and emphasises the need for targeted interventions and support systems. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on adolescent mental health and provides important insights for researchers, educators, and mental health professionals working with adolescents.   Practical significance. The practical significance of this study lies in its potential to inform educators, parents, and mental health professionals about the importance of addressing body image issues among adolescents. By highlighting the differences in body image satisfaction between genders and the link between body image and psychological factors such as life satisfaction and psychological adjustment, the study emphasises the need for targeted interventions and support systems.