A CORRELATIONAL STUDY ON SOCIO-CULTURAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS APPEARANCES AND ITS IMPACT ON BODY DISSATISFACTION AND RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION AMONG COLLEGE GOING MALE
AUTHORS:
Mentor
Prateek Kumar Singh
Affiliation
Department of Psychology
School of Liberal Studies
Pandit Deendayal Energy University Gandhinagar
School of Liberal Studies
Pandit Deendayal Energy University Gandhinagar
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Abstract
This study investigates the relationships between socio-cultural attitudes toward male appearance, body dissatisfaction, and relationship satisfaction among college-going males aged 18–22 years. Guided by theories such as Social Comparison Theory, Objectification Theory, and the Interpersonal Theory of Depression, this research explores how societal and media-driven ideals influence self-perception and relational dynamics. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected through validated tools: the Socio-cultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4R (SATAQ-4R), Body Dissatisfaction Scale, and Burns Relationship Satisfaction Scale.
From the findings obtained, there exists a notable positive correlation between socio-cultural attitude and body dissatisfaction, indicating how social influences impact the body image perception of males. It is important to note that there was no notable correlation between body dissatisfaction and relationship satisfaction. There was also no notable correlation between socio-cultural attitude and relationship satisfaction. It can be concluded from this that the influence of relationships depends on other aspects apart from physical appearance.
This highlights the need for encouraging body positivity and fostering awareness of the unrealistic expectations set by the media and social environment. Future studies need to investigate the impact of moderating factors, including self-esteem and emotional state, on the complex interaction between body image and relationship satisfaction.
From the findings obtained, there exists a notable positive correlation between socio-cultural attitude and body dissatisfaction, indicating how social influences impact the body image perception of males. It is important to note that there was no notable correlation between body dissatisfaction and relationship satisfaction. There was also no notable correlation between socio-cultural attitude and relationship satisfaction. It can be concluded from this that the influence of relationships depends on other aspects apart from physical appearance.
This highlights the need for encouraging body positivity and fostering awareness of the unrealistic expectations set by the media and social environment. Future studies need to investigate the impact of moderating factors, including self-esteem and emotional state, on the complex interaction between body image and relationship satisfaction.
Keywords
Socio-cultual Attitudes; Appearance-Related Pressure; Male Body Dissatisfaction; Body Image; Relationship Satisfaction; Young Men; Romantic Relationships.
Article Information
PUBLICATION DETAILS
Review Type:
Double-Blind Peer Review
License:
CC BY-NC 4.0
Volume/Issue:
Volume 02, Issue 8
Review Rounds:
2
Article Type:
Research Article
Publication Date:
Aug 03 2026
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Singh, S. (2026). A Correlational Study on Socio-Cultural Attitude Towards Appearances and Its Impact on Body Dissatisfaction and Relationship Satisfaction Among College Going Male. International Journal of Science, Strategic Management and Technology, 02(8), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsmt.v2i8.002
Singh, Swati. "A Correlational Study on Socio-Cultural Attitude Towards Appearances and Its Impact on Body Dissatisfaction and Relationship Satisfaction Among College Going Male." International Journal of Science, Strategic Management and Technology, vol. 02, no. 8, 2026, pp. 1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsmt.v2i8.002.
Singh, Swati. "A Correlational Study on Socio-Cultural Attitude Towards Appearances and Its Impact on Body Dissatisfaction and Relationship Satisfaction Among College Going Male." International Journal of Science, Strategic Management and Technology 02, no. 8 (2026): 1-9. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsmt.v2i8.002.
References
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Fredrickson, B. L., & Roberts, T.-A. (1997). Objectification theory: Toward understanding women's lived experiences and mental health risks. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 21(2), 173–206. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6402.1997.tb00108.x
Hobza, C. L., Walker, K. E., Yakushko, O., & Peugh, J. L. (2007). What about men? Social comparison and the effects of media images on body and self-esteem. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 8(3), 161–172. https://doi.org/10.1037/1524-9220.8.3.161
Karney, B. R., & Bradbury, T. N. (1995). The longitudinal course of marital quality and stability: A review of theory, method, and research. Psychological Bulletin, 118(1), 3–34. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.118.1.3
Markey, C. N., & Markey, P. M. (2006). Romantic relationships and body satisfaction among young women. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35(2), 271–279. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-005-9013-6
McCabe, M. P., & Ricciardelli, L. A. (2001). Parent, peer, and media influences on body image and strategies to both increase and decrease body size among adolescent boys and girls. Adolescence, 36(142), 225–240.
Meltzer, A. L., & McNulty, J. K. (2010). Body image and marital satisfaction: Evidence for the mediating role of sexual frequency and sexual satisfaction. Journal of Family Psychology, 24(2), 156–164. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019063
Pope, H. G., Jr., Phillips, K. A., & Olivardia, R. (2000). The Adonis complex: The secret crisis of male body obsession. Free Press.
Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117–140. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872675400700202
Fredrickson, B. L., & Roberts, T.-A. (1997). Objectification theory: Toward understanding women's lived experiences and mental health risks. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 21(2), 173–206. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6402.1997.tb00108.x
Hobza, C. L., Walker, K. E., Yakushko, O., & Peugh, J. L. (2007). What about men? Social comparison and the effects of media images on body and self-esteem. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 8(3), 161–172. https://doi.org/10.1037/1524-9220.8.3.161
Karney, B. R., & Bradbury, T. N. (1995). The longitudinal course of marital quality and stability: A review of theory, method, and research. Psychological Bulletin, 118(1), 3–34. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.118.1.3
Markey, C. N., & Markey, P. M. (2006). Romantic relationships and body satisfaction among young women. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35(2), 271–279. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-005-9013-6
McCabe, M. P., & Ricciardelli, L. A. (2001). Parent, peer, and media influences on body image and strategies to both increase and decrease body size among adolescent boys and girls. Adolescence, 36(142), 225–240.
Meltzer, A. L., & McNulty, J. K. (2010). Body image and marital satisfaction: Evidence for the mediating role of sexual frequency and sexual satisfaction. Journal of Family Psychology, 24(2), 156–164. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019063
Pope, H. G., Jr., Phillips, K. A., & Olivardia, R. (2000). The Adonis complex: The secret crisis of male body obsession. Free Press.
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