A Study on Effects of Somatotypes and Stress on Body Cathexis and Preferences of Clothing Image

체형과 스트레스가 신체만족도 및 선호의복이미지에 미치는 영향 - 중년여성과 여대생의 비교 연구 -

The purpose of this study was to examine the influences of age, somatotype, and stress on body cathexis and preferences of clothing image. The subjects were 248 women (college students and middle aged women) in Korea. There was a significant difference between a real somatotype and a perceived somatotype. As a whole subjects had a tendency to perceive themselves as overweight. In the college group the degree of being overweight influenced the degree of stress level. College women who perceived themselves heavier than their real weights marked the highest level of stress. Subjects who perceived themselves as underweight had a higher body cathexis. Significant findings were noted in preferences of clothing image relating to body cathexis and age. The clothing with an elegant image was preferred by subjects who had a higher body cathexis and the middle aged women. College women favored the clothing with a pretty image. The clothing with an unique image was preferred by subjects with a high body cathexis, by the college women, and by subjects who perceived themselves as overweight. The clothing with a masculine image was preferred by college women rather than middle aged women. The clothing with a moderate image was preferred by middle aged women. In summary, subjects had a tendency to perceive themselves as overweight, thus the higher stress level which affected body cathexis. Both age and body cathexis significantly affected preferences of clothing image.