Body Image Concerns and Self-Esteem in Late Adolescence: A Cross-Sectional Examination of Psychological Correlates

Abstract

Background: Body image concerns are increasingly prevalent in late adolescence and have been linked to adverse psychological outcomes, including diminished self-esteem, yet sex-specific differences and the strength of these associations remain insufficiently quantified. Objective: To examine the relationship between body image concerns and self-esteem among late adolescents and to assess sex-specific variations in these psychological correlates. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 512 adolescents aged 16–19 years using validated instruments to measure body image concerns and global self-esteem. Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for age and sex were used to estimate associations, with sex-stratified analyses performed to evaluate differential vulnerability. Results: Participants reported moderate body image concerns (mean 42.8, SD 9.5) and average self-esteem (mean 21.4, SD 4.8). Females exhibited significantly higher body image concerns and lower self-esteem than males (p < 0.001). Body image concerns were inversely correlated with self-esteem (r = –0.52, p < 0.001). In adjusted models, each unit increase in body image concerns predicted a 0.18-point decrease in self-esteem (p < 0.001), with stronger effects in females (β = –0.22) than males (β = –0.14). Conclusion: Higher body image concerns are strongly associated with lower self-esteem in late adolescence, particularly among females, underscoring the need for targeted screening and early preventive strategies.