Body Dissatisfaction: Searching for a Link Between Depressive Symptoms, Body Image, and Eating Patterns Among Thais

Abstract

This research aims to comprehensively examine the correlation between body dissatisfaction, depressive symptoms, and eating patterns among Thais aged 18 to 24 years, while also determining potential variances between sexes. Given the societal pressures surrounding body image, the researchers hypothesized that females would report higher levels of body dissatisfaction and more pronounced depressive symptoms compared to their male counterparts. To test this hypothesis, a self-administered survey was distributed online, effectively gathering data from 628 participants with a mean age of 20 years. The survey comprised six self-report questionnaires designed to assess various dimensions of body image and mental health. Data analysis employed both Pearson’s product-moment correlation and Welch’s two-sample t-test to explore relationships and differences among groups. The Pearson test revealed a positive correlation among the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), Body Dissatisfaction Scale (BDS), and Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) scores, indicating interconnectedness among these variables. Additionally, Welch’s two-sample t-test demonstrated that female respondents reported significantly higher CES-D and BDS scores than their male peers, highlighting critical sex differences in body image and mental health outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of addressing body dissatisfaction and its psychological implications, particularly among young women in Thailand.