INFLUENCE OF APPEARANCE ANXIETY ON THE SELF ESTEEM AND SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The present research explored the influence of appearance anxiety on self-esteem and suicidal ideation among university students. A sample of 180 with the age range of 18-25 years was collected from the three different universities of Sialkot Punjab. Appearance Anxiety was assessed by using Appearance Anxiety Inventory Scale (AAI) (Veale et al, 2014). Self-esteem was checked by using Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES) (Rosenberg, 1965) and Suicidal Ideation was measured by using Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI) (Beck et al, 1988) along with a demographic form and consent form. The data was collected through purposive sampling and was analysed through using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS: version 25). Psychometric properties of the measures were also analysed including the Urdu version of appearance anxiety which were significantly high. Results from the Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between appearance anxiety and self esteem and there was a significant positive association between appearance anxiety and suicidal ideation. The linear regression analysis indicated the increased level of appearance anxiety with the decreased level of self esteem similarly the heightened level of appearance anxiety increased the level suicidal ideation among university students.