Body Image with Reference to Self-Consciousness and Fear on Negative Evaluation in Adolescence

Pre-adolescence and adolescence is characterised as the onset of puberty. Puberty includes physical bodily changes in boys and girls- height, skin, weight, hair growth, voice, glands and reproductive organs. This is a very challenging and confusing time for teenagers to understand and cope up with changes they face. It includes biological, psychological, social and emotional ups and downs. Development and structure of various factors in individual lead to negative body image, self-consciousness and fear of negative evaluation along with mental health problems and physiological dysfunctions. The prevalence of body image concern or dissatisfaction was 60.4%, for females it was 65% and for males it was 54.5%. Aline to this view the study explored the relationship of body image with reference to self-consciousness and fear of negative evaluation in adolescence. It also examined the gender differences for the same on sample of 220 participants, 110 boys and 110 girls respectively. The results indicated positive relationship of body image with self-consciousness and fear of negative evaluation among adolescents. There was a significant gender difference in fear of negative evaluation. Findings also implied that there was no significant gender difference in self-consciousness. The present research will help in understanding level of body image issues, fear of evaluation, and social anxiety in an individual. To fully understand the factors leading to level of disturbances teenagers face, we can be carry forward the study. It will help in making better treatment and intervention plans which will help in building confidence and reduce self-hatred feeling faced by teenagers at the time of maturation.