Relationships between Body Image, Self-esteem and Family Strengths in Late School Aged Children

학령기 후기 아동의 신체상과 자존감, 가족건강성

Purpose: The family is a primary environment and has pivotal role for child health and development. This study was conducted to identify the relations of family strengths to body image and self-esteem in late school aged children. Methods: Data were collected from 455 children at 5th and 6th grades in four provinces of South Korea using self-report questionnaires for measuring body image, self-esteem, and family strengths. Pearson's correlation analysis and t-test, ANOVA were used to identify the relationships among variables, and compare body image, self-esteem, and family strengths according to general characteristics. Results: Body image, self-esteem and family strengths were significantly different according to economic status and academic performance. Family strengths were also affected by the presence of both parents. Body image, self-esteem and family strengths showed significant positive correlations. Conclusion: The family relations of school aged children are important for child's body image and self-esteem. We recommend that psycho-emotional interventions should be developed for both the children and their parents with low family strengths to improve body image and self-esteem.