17th Annual Student Research Conference
Social Science
Assessing the Correlations Between the Timing of Puberty and Self-Esteem and Body Image
Kim A. Winton*, Sara E. Little, and Stefanie W. Drew
Dr. David B. Conner, Faculty Mentor
Past psychological research has strongly supported the idea that the objective timing of the onset of puberty and a woman’s subjective reaction to it has an impact on a number of traits, including self-esteem and body image. In the current study, we addressed these issues by measuring the attitudes and general self-esteem of college-aged to determine whether or not pubertal effects continue into early adulthood. Contrary to what was predicted, participant ratings of self-esteem and body-image were not found to correlate with either subjective or objective ratings of the timing of puberty. Ratings of self-esteem and body image were, however, found to correlate with age. Surprisingly, self-esteem and body image ratings were generally higher at the onset of puberty than during early-adulthood.
Keywords: self-esteem, body image, puberty
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 26-49
Location: OP Lobby & Atrium
Time: 1:15