The Effect Of Body Image On Adolescent Depression

Adolescence is the critical period for individuals' life development,in which their mental health problems are widely concerned and affects teenagers' study and life.Numerous studies and related theories have shown that body image is one of the factors affecting depression.The lower adolescents' evaluation of their body image,the more negative body image,and the higher possibility of inducing depression.But not all individuals with low body image exhibit depression,and the relationship is likely to be moderated by other factors.Existing research has shown a significant association between self-compassion and adolescent depression.However,previous studies have.not explored whether the effects of body image on depression are moderated by self-compassion.In view of this,this study attempts to examine the relationship between body image,depression and self-compassion,and to explore whether self-compassion can moderate the effects of body image on depression.This study consists of two sub-studies.In the first study,720 students from a high school in Wuhan were selected as subjects by questionnaire method,and the questionnaire data were analyzed and processed by SPSS 20.0.A total of 28 students(low level of self-sympathy and severe degree of depression)were selected from study 1 and were divided into two groups for follow-up study 2.The experimental group was given group counseling of self-compassion for eight times,while the control group was given irrelevant treatment during the same time.Then the pre-and post-test data of the two groups were analyzed.The research conclusions are as follows:(1)Body image could negatively predict adolescent depression.(2)Self-compassion and its various dimensions(universal humanity,self-friendliness,mindfulness)can directly and negatively predict adolescent depression.(3)Self-compassion can moderate the relationship between body image and depression in adolescents,especially those with a high level of self-compassion,which can to a certain extent inhibit the negative influence of body image on depression.(4)After the intervention,the self-compassion level in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the pre-test,and the self-compassion level of the experimental group was also significantly higher than that of the control group,indicating that the self-compassion intervention in this study was effective.In summary,this study can guide adolescents to be more objective and positive about their physical appearance,which has important implications for alleviating adolescent depression.The self-compassion intervention enriches the previous research results,improves the level of self-compassion of individuals,and promotes the development of physical and mental health of adolescents.