Body Image and Subjective Well-Being in Portuguese Adolescents

The study examines the impact of body image in adolescents’ well-being. Well-being was assessed with the scale Kidscreen10, with the Cantril ladder for satisfaction with life and with an ad hoc happiness scale. The study presents data on adolescent health from the Health Behavior in School-aged Chil...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Spanish journal of psychology 2013-01, Vol.16, p.E17-E17, Article E17
Main Authors: Borges, António, Gaspar de Matos, Margarida, Diniz, José Alves
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent boys
Age
Age Factors
Body image
Body Image - psychology
Child
Clinical and Health Psychology
Data collection
Discontent
Emotions
Families & family life
Female
Gender
Gender differences
Happiness
Health behavior
Humans
Life satisfaction
Male
Perceptions
Personal Satisfaction
Portugal
Psychological aspects
Psychology
Self Concept
Self esteem
Self image
Selfknowledge
Sex Factors
Stereotypes
Surveys and Questionnaires
Teenagers
Well being
Youth
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Summary:The study examines the impact of body image in adolescents’ well-being. Well-being was assessed with the scale Kidscreen10, with the Cantril ladder for satisfaction with life and with an ad hoc happiness scale. The study presents data on adolescent health from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC)/World Health Organization study in Portugal (2006), with a sample of 4,877 adolescents, average age of 14 years old and gender distribution at 49,6% males. Portuguese adolescents showed differences between gender and age group regarding their body image-related satisfaction/dissatisfaction and self-perceived body image, being that both components have a direct impact on the levels of well-being. The male gender has better results in the perception of body image and, consequently, well-being. The largest inter-gender differences for well-being is at 15 years of age. The main predictors of well-being are the look and body satisfaction/dissatisfaction, with greater importance on the affective component. This research highlights the importance of body image for adolescents’ well-being, as well as to prepare educational strategies adapted to adolescents’ age and gender, by helping them to develop skills concerning self-knowledge and caring for their look.
ISSN:1138-7416
1988-2904
DOI:10.1017/sjp.2013.24