ASSESSMENT OF SELF-PERCEPTION OF YOUTH’S APPEARANCE IN THE ROSTOV REGION

ABSTRACT

The study highlights the growing issue of negative body image and self-perception among young people globally, attributed to societal and media pressures promoting unrealistic beauty standards in Russia, specifically in the Rostov Region.

Keywords: youth, appearance, beauty standards, self-perception, body-dysmorphia, body image.

The relevance of the research is driven by the emerging trends regarding the formation of negative body image and self-perception among young people globally. Some experts associate this phenomenon with the term “normative dissatisfaction,” [2, p. 63] defining it as a characteristic feature of an entire generation — a result of prolonged societal and media postulation of the superiority of beauty over ugliness, and the imposition of unrealistic beauty standards by marketers. This issue is not confined to the West alone; it is also pertinent to the post-Soviet space, as evidenced by the continuous publication of scientific articles and various monographs by local researchers on the subject.

It is important to recognize that alongside the development of “normative dissatisfaction,” there are several negative formations in the life of modern humans: dissatisfaction with one’s appearance often triggers the development of mental health issues such as depression and eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia, and others). Young people, as one of the most psychologically susceptible social groups, are particularly affected. As an adaptation to “normative dissatisfaction,” young people increasingly resort to the movements of feminism, body positivity, and self-care, which should mitigate the problem’s severity. However, these efforts have not been sufficient so far, as recent sociological surveys have not shown a positive trend among young people due to the emergence of these movements.

Currently, in Russia, there is no accurate quantitative statistics on the causes of suicide among young people. These include unrequited love, family problems, mental disorders, and more. However, sometimes “dissatisfaction with one’s appearance” slips into media headlines as one of the reasons. It has been previously mentioned that this dissatisfaction leads to mental health issues such as depression, body-dysmorphia (an inability to accept a part of one’s body, accompanied by intense emotional distress), eating disorders, and others, which often contribute to serious disorders or increased suicide rates.

The lack of statistics on these matters does not imply the absence of a real problem. It is important to investigate how this situation is reflected in the country or at least specific regions. Our study focuses on the Rostov Region.

The respondents of the study were one hundred young men and women residing in the Rostov Region. They were presented with three blocks of questions for discussion: about appearance and its significance for each individual, about their own perception of body image, and about the negative consequences of excessive attention to body image. These questions were designed to confirm or refute the following hypotheses of our research:

1. The majority of young people in the Rostov Region consider appearance to be an important social criterion.

2. Young people in the studied region often have a negative attitude towards their own bodies and a desire to change them in some way.

3. A high level of dissatisfaction with one’s own body among young people can lead to the spread of mental health issues and problems with socialization and self-realization in society.

Our study has shown that approximately 30-35% of respondents not only worry about their appearance but are also genuinely prone to developing mental disorders on this basis, with young women mainly being in the risk group. 19% of respondents have inflicted physical harm on themselves at least once, while 24% apply “non-physical punishments” to themselves. Young people feel guilty about their appearance, cry, and are unable to feel good around more attractive individuals. These statistics are shocking, despite the fact that these respondents make up less than half, around 30%, which still significantly exceeds acceptable levels.

No significant differences were found within the region itself; these are acute problems for both provincial residents and those living in metropolitan areas.

All three hypotheses proposed before the study were confirmed: appearance is an important social construct in the society of young people, it concerns them, and most of them frequently think about their appearance. The youth of the Rostov Region are indeed characterized by a desire to change their own appearance and a certain lack of acceptance. The last block of the questionnaire helped identify a real threat of deteriorating psycho-emotional states.

The concept of one’s physical appearance and the awareness of its aesthetic impact is a crucial component of an individual’s self-attitude. The size and shape of the body influence the qualitative uniqueness of an individual’s life, as they serve as the subject of both self-evaluations and assessments, in one form or another, transmitted by others. Perceptions of one’s somatic organization are among the regulators of behavior that manifest themselves in self-presentations [1, p. 125].

Self-perception of appearance is a complex topic that shapes many social phenomena and characteristics specific to different segments of the population. This study managed to elucidate the peculiarities of self-perception of appearance among young people residing in the Rostov Region.

References:

1. Rudd N. Body image: linking aesthetics and social psychology of appearance / N. Rudd, S. Lennon // Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. – 2001. – Vol. 19. – P. 120–133.
2. Rumsey N., Harcourt D. The Psychology of Appearance –  McGraw-Hill Education (UK), – 2005. – 256 pp.