Relationship Between Body Image Satisfaction and Psychological Well-Being: The Impact of Africentric Values

Empirical studies established a link between body image measured as body mass index and psychological variables in western cultures with less inclusion of indigenous Africans. The present study investigated the influence of body image satisfaction on the psychological well-being of individuals within the African cultural context. Body image dimension was redefined and expanded to include four other components: facial appearance, appendage appearance, physical appearance, and complexion and body mass index. The sample was drawn from Ghana but covered nationals of 9 African countries. Data were analyzed using the Pearson product moment correlation, analysis of variance and hierarchical multiple regression. Findings revealed significant positive relationship between body image satisfaction and psychological well-being with Africentric values moderating the relationship as hypothesized. Also males were more satisfied with their body image than females. However, contrary to expectation level of education had no significant effect on a person's body image satisfaction.