The Relationship of Body Image and Self-esteem with Marital Adjustment: A study on Female Employees of Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2012-2013

Body image reflects how a person thinks and feels about his/her own body. Negative body image results in low self-esteem and depression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of body image and self-esteem with marital adjustment among female married employees of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. This cross-sectional study was performed on 380 female married employees of Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2013. Data gathering was performed through a questionnaire including demographic features as well as items related to body image, self-esteem and marital adaptation. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire had been confirmed. Data analysis was done using linear regression model and through SPSS 20 software package. The age of majority of participants (85%) was more than 25 years and most subjects (65%) had bachelor or higher educational degrees. Marital adjustment showed significant relationship with body image (β= 0.23, P= 0.001) and self-esteem (β=0.65, P=0.001). Self –esteem was a stronger predictor of marital adjustment than body image. According to the obtained results, women’s body image and self-esteem have essential roles on marital adjustment. Therefore, it should be considered by policy-makers and family counselors.