Satysfakcja z życia a samoocena i obraz ciała w okresie wczesnej i średniej dorosłości

Abstract

This study is aimed at examining differences in self-esteem, positive body image and life satisfaction among the people at the sixth stage (Intimacy vs. Isolation) and the seventh stage (Generativity vs. Stagnation) of Erikson’s psychosocial development, with regards for gender. Also, the correlation between self-esteem, positive body image and life satisfaction was tested in the study. 309 adults, aged between 18 and 65 (M = 33.65, SD = 14.64), including 154 women (49.83%), participated in the cross-sectional online study. The total sample was spilt into two groups, regarding Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development: Stage 6 (early adulthood from 18 to 39, M = 24.20, SD = 6.15, n = 199) and Stage 7 (middle adulthood from 40 to 65, M = 50.76, SD = 8.85, n = 110). To measure life satisfaction, self-esteem and positive attitude towards the body, the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS-2) were used respectively. Results indicate that middle-aged people are more satisfied with their life, and score higher in self-esteem and positive body image than young adults. Life satisfaction, self-esteem, and positive body image are correlated positively. Self-esteem and positive body image are predictors of life satisfaction and, together with gender and age, explain 48% of its variance in early- and middle-aged adults.