Open Access

ARTICLE

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: The Role of Self-Esteem and Attachments in Early Adolescent Body-Esteem

Young Mi Kim^*
Department of Child and Family Counseling, Gukje Cyber University, Gyeonggi-do, 16487, Republic of Korea
* Corresponding Author: Young Mi Kim. Email:
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Mental Health Promotion and Psychosocial Support in Vulnerable Populations: Challenges, Strategies and Interventions)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2024.057597

Received 22 August 2024; Accepted 29 October 2024; Published online 15 November 2024

Abstract

Background: Early adolescents become increasingly conscious of their body image, which can profoundly impact their mental health and well-being. In South Korea, societal pressures and expectations regarding physical appearance are particularly intense, making the study of body-esteem in Korean adolescents especially pertinent. This study explores the roles of self-esteem, peer attachment, and maternal attachments in shaping body-esteem among early adolescents. Methods: Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed using data from 1326 Korean middle school students (Mean_age = 13.32, SD = 1.73). Results: The results revealed that self-esteem had a significantly positive effect on both peer attachment and maternal attachment. However, while peer attachment positively influenced body-esteem, maternal attachment did not have a significant direnct effect on body-esteem. Conclusions: These findings suggest that during early adolescence, peer relationships, rather than maternal bonds, play a more critical role in shaping body image. In a culture that emphasizes peer validation and societal beauty standards, peer relationships have a stronger impact on body-esteem. Interventions should focus on fostering supportive peer environments and enhancing self-esteem to promote positive body-esteem and mental health among adolescents.

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Keywords

Self-esteem; peer attachment; maternal attachment; body-esteem; early adolescence

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