Will Familism, Body Image and Childhood Experience Predict Self-Worth Among Adults

Abstract

This study examines the complex factors that contribute to the nature of a youth's self-worth in the transitory period between adolescence and young adulthood in Nigeria. The study explored the possible under-explored factors in the aforementioned part of the world which are likely to influence self-worth during this period as the foundation for attaining a positive self-worth is laid during a child's early years. The test of the predictor variables (familism, childhood experiences, body image) with the criterion variable (self-worth) was done using an ex-post facto research design. A total of 307 self-report questionnaires were completed by youths (Male = 134, Female = 174; Mean age = 23.52; SD = 5.25) in Ekiti state, Nigeria. The four hypotheses were tested by using t test for independent samples, multiple regression analysis and Pearson r correlation analysis. Findings underscore the importance of familism (β = .416, t = 7.846, p < .001) and negative childhood experience (β = -.153, t = -2.851, p = .005) as significant predictors of self-worth while body image (β = .019, t = .354, p = .724) and positive childhood experience (β = .063, t = 1.168, p = .244) did not prove to be significant predictors of self-worth. Results further revealed that familism, body image and childhood experiences together accounted for 24.2% of the total variance of the self-worth of the Nigerian youths and the F (24.14) (p < .001) indicated mode of interaction. The study thus concluded that both strong family bonds and dysfunctional family dynamics shape and determine the value adolescent place on themselves as they develop even to early adulthood.