The Influence of New Socio-Cultural Environment on Self-Esteem in Connection with Physique Traits in the Group of International Students in Russia

Abstract

The biopsychosocial approach in the anthropological investigations assumes that the associations of self-esteem with physique traits can presumably determine the level of psychological well-being, particularly in the new conditions of life in a foreign country. We analyzed associations of self-esteem with physique traits in a group of international students in Russia to reveal the peculiarities of these associations in the new sociocultural environment. The study group included 267 first-year students (79 females and 188 males), from 17 to 31 years of age. The results of the study confirm the data of other authors of higher self-esteem for males compared to females. Our investigation revealed gender differences in the associations of self-esteem with physique traits. Negative associations are more numerous and greater in absolute value in females, especially in the aspect of self-esteem of intellectual abilities. In males, negative associations with physique traits refer to self-esteem of appearance and other people's attitude. The results obtained reflect the concern of females about their abilities to cope with learning problems in unfamiliar conditions and in a foreign language environment. The similarity between males and females was observed in positive associations of self-esteem of health with physique traits.