Date of Award

4-3-2012

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Counseling Psychology & Community Services

First Advisor

Cynthia Juntunen

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationships and interactions between the variables of body image, body-esteem, spirituality/religion factors, romantic relationship satisfaction and locus of control as a moderating factor. This paper examined the literature of each of these variables and explored a non-clinical adult population of both men and women in order to further the understanding of body image dissatisfaction and sex differences. Each participant was contacted via e-mail through attending one of three Midwestern Universities and asked to complete a questionnaire through an internet server. The findings indicated multiple gender differences related to body image dissatisfaction, as follows: women reported more body dissonance compared to men; women were shown to have a significant relationship between their body-esteem and relationship satisfaction; and women were found to be more religious/spiritual as well as more likely to utilize spiritual resources to deal with their appearance. No difference was found between participants who identified with “God” or other spiritual beliefs and “not God” and their body-esteem. Both men and women were found to have a significant relationship between intrinsic spirituality and personal body dissonance. Men were not found to have a significant relationship between intrinsic spirituality, body-esteem or body satisfaction in relation to overall relationship satisfaction but body-esteem did impact relationship satisfaction among women. Locus of control was then examined as a moderator to the multiple dependent variables and individuals endorsing an external locus of control reported lower body-esteem compared to individuals that endorsed extreme internal or healthy internal locus of control. This study has implications for helping clinicians better understand the role of spirituality and religion on both body image and romantic relationship satisfaction as well as the impact of body image dissatisfaction on other developmental factors.

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