Title

Social Physique Anxiety, Self-Esteem, and Body Image: The Effects of Exercising with the Opposite Sex

Graduation Year

2012

Comments

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Abstract

This study asks if males and females in coed exercise environments have higher levels of social physique anxiety, lower self-esteem, and lower body image, compared to males and females in same sex exercise environments? Social physique anxiety (SPA) is defined as the concern that others are negatively evaluating one's body or physical appearance; an affective response reflecting the concern for how others judge one's body (Koyuncu et al., 2010). The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of exercising with the opposite sex on one's SPA, body image, and self-esteem. If significant results are found, either consistent or inconsistent with the hypothesis, unanswered questions about the effects of mixed-sex exercise courses in comparison to same-sex exercise courses could be resolved.

The participants will consist of male and female students from Illinois Wesleyan University who are enrolled in a physical education course. Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire, which will be distributed on the first day of class and sometime during the last week. The survey is optional, and only needs to be completed by those who feel comfortable answering the questions.

Disciplines

Psychology

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