Does Self-Concept Depend on Body Image? a Gender Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold, to estimate positive correlations between scores on the Tennessee Self-concept Scale for body image and self-concept within each gender and to assess differences between genders on measures of these two concepts, thereby testing the hypothesis that women have a more diminished body image than men. The study included 36 subjects, 18 male and 18 female. Within each gender were significant and positive correlations between measures of body image and self-concept. Between the genders, there was no significant difference in scores on self-concept but there was a difference in ratings of body image, with women being significantly less satisfied.