The Role of Physical Attractiveness in Self-WorthMegan M. Schad, Christopher A. Hafen, Samantha R. Perry, Lauren E. Cannavo, Elenda T. Hessel, Emily L. Loeb, Joseph S.

Tan & Joseph P. Allen

University of Virginia.

We would like to thank the National Institute of Child Health & Human Developmentfor funding awarded to Joseph P. Allen, Principal Investigator, (9 R01 HD058305-A11) for funding to conduct this study as well as for the write-up of this study.

IntroductionThe transition from adolescence to adulthood is a formative period of development, making this period a rich time to explore physical attractiveness. Many physical changes occur during adolescence, such as muscle growth, breast development, incidence of acne, and vocal changes. These (seemingly) minor differences in attractiveness may play a large role in social development.

As physical changes occur, adolescents become more concerned about their appearance. Not surprisingly, adolescents are more self-conscious about their appearance than adults (Elkind, 1967; Emmons, 1996), and their attitude about attractiveness is more predictive of self-worth than other attitudes (e.g., general effectiveness) (Lerner & Karabenick, 1974). Therefore, the current study will investigate whether adolescent attractiveness has a lingering influence through later stages of development.

Specifically, this longitudinal, multi-method study examines how attractiveness during early adolescence may impact self-perceptions in adulthood as much as (if not more than) attractiveness in adulthood. Further, this study will distinguish between observed physical attractiveness and self-perceptions of attractiveness and their influence on self-worth.

Method

Results

Participants were 184 teenagers assessed annually from age 13 to 19 and then again at ages 21 and 23. The sample was socio-economically and racially diverse. Target’s physical attractiveness was coded annually from age 13 to 19 and again at age 21 using a naïve coding system. No specific instruction as to what to look for was given – coders’ personal ideas about physical attractiveness were used as the basis of coding. Both males and females were used on an ethnically diverse coding team (annual ICCs=.85; .86; .93; .89; .89; .87; .81; .90).

Regression analyses suggest that, after controlling for effects of gender and minority status, coded physical attractiveness ratings at age 13 were positively and significantly associated with self-reported perceptions of physical attractiveness at age 23 (β = .22, p < .05) whereas coded physical attractiveness ratings at age 21 were not predictive of self-perceptions of attractiveness (β = .01, p = n.s.).

To test the differential effects of observed attractiveness versus self-perceived attractiveness, a one-factor model of overall observed attractiveness was created (RMSEA = 0.068, p = .174, CI .032 – .102; χ ² = 37.167, df = 20, p = 0.0112).

Regression analyses show that observed attractiveness across adolescence is not predictive of self-worth in early adulthood (β = -.06, p = n.s.); however, self-perceptions of attractiveness are strong predictors of self-worth in early adulthood (β = .72, p < .0001).Thus, results indicate that: early adolescent physical attractiveness is more predictive of adult self-perceptions of attractiveness than adult attractiveness; and self-perceptions of attractiveness are a strong predictor of adult self-worth, accounting for 48% of the variance in adult self-worth in the current study.

At age 23, target’s self-worth and self-perceptions of their own attractiveness were measured using the Harter Self-Perception Profile (Messer & Harter, 1986). The 4-item physical appearance scale (Cronbach’s α = .82) and the 6–item self-worth scale (Cronbach’s α = .88) were used.

ConclusionsEarly adolescent physical attractiveness seems to have very long term predictions to self-perceptions in early adulthood.

Physical attractiveness in adolescence may be indirectly contributing to early adult self worth, via these perceptions.

Therefore, physical attractiveness in adolescence appears to play a key role in the development of adult self-concept.