Appearance Anxiety and Self-Esteem in College Students: Role of Parenthood 

By : Archisa Dey, Payel Dey Ghosh

Page No: 329-338

Abstract
This investigation explores the complicated medley of parenting practices, appearance anxiety, and self-esteem among college students. Appearance anxiety, which consists of excessive worry over real or perceived physical imperfections, is usually caused by self-esteem problem, leading to a complex relationship between psychological health and parental influence. On a sample size of 98 college students (47 male; 51 female), Perceived Parenting Style Scale, Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSE) were administered. Authoritative parenting style, characterized by nurturance, empathy, and effective communication, allows progress towards independence and autonomy, resulting in the development of positive selfconcept. On the other hand, authoritarian parents exert strict control over children lead to low self-esteem and more concern about one’s body. Thus, obtained evidence confirms the role of authoritative parents in boosting of higher levels of self-esteem, whereas authoritarian parents endorse appearance anxiety highlighting significance of enhancing adaptive parenting for better mental health.

Authors:
Archisa Dey :  Student, Amity Institute of Psychology and Allied Sciences, Amity University, Kolkata. 
Dr. Payel Dey Ghosh :  Assistant Professor, Amity Institute of Psychology and Allied Sciences, Amity University, Kolkata.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPR.2024.19.02.13