Self-Esteem and Its Relationship with Body Dissatisfaction Among Female University Students in the Era of Social Media Standards

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between self-esteem and body dissatisfaction among female university students in the era of social media beauty standards. It was hypothesized that self-esteem would be negatively associated with body dissatisfaction. The participants were 365 female undergraduate students aged 18–24 years who actively use social media. A quantitative correlational design was employed. Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), while body dissatisfaction was assessed using the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-34). Data were analyzed using Spearman’s Rank Correlation due to non-normal data distribution. The results indicated a significant negative correlation between self-esteem and body dissatisfaction (ρ = -0.223, p < 0.001). Although the correlation strength was weak, the findings suggest that higher levels of self-esteem are associated with lower levels of body dissatisfaction. These results indicate that self-esteem functions as a partial protective factor against negative body evaluation among female students. Further research is recommended to examine additional psychological and social variables that may contribute to body dissatisfaction.