Relationship between physical attractiveness, physical effectiveness, and self-esteem: a cross-sectional analysis among adolescents.

In the present study, the relative contributions of physical attractiveness and physical effectiveness to the self-esteem were examined among four different grade-levels of adolescents (mean ages; 12.5, 14.6, 16.3, 18.3 years old). Overall, both attractiveness and effectiveness were significantly related to the self-esteem of males and females. In contrast to previous research, attractiveness and effectiveness did not appear to be differentially important to the self-esteem of males and females and consistent patterns were evident across the different grade-levels. These results are believed to reflect changes occurring in sex-role expectations and socialization.