Investigating the roles of self-compassion, body image flexibility, and societal appearance influences on body appreciation among adolescents

This research investigated the prediction of self-compassion, body image flexibility, internalization of the thin and muscular body, and sociocultural pressure towards the body as well as the race, adolescence stages, body mass index, and gender on body appreciation in a sample of adolescents from diverse racial groups living in Turkey. The study was conducted with 378 adolescents (n=193, 51.1% male; n=166, 43.9% female) aged between 11-19 years (M=15.48, SD=1.08). The Turkish student sample comprised 110 (29.1%) adolescents and the international student sample comprised 253 (66.9 %) adolescents. Participants were asked to fill out Demographic Information Form, Self-compassion Scale for Youth, Body Appreciation Scale-2, Body Image Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, and Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance-4. The data was analyzed by conducting hierarchical regression analysis via SPSS 26. Results showed that race and self-compassion were found to be the strongest predictors in explaining body appreciation. Body mass index, gender, body image flexibility, and family pressure significantly predicted body appreciation in adolescents. The results were discussed in line with the literature and suggestions and recommendations were provided for further research.