Puberty in boys : a study about the association between the onset of puberty, body image and self-esteem

Abstract

Adolescence is defined as the developmental period of transition between childhood and adulthood. This transition involves biological, cognitive and socioemotional changes. Adolescents may be concerned when they realise that they are not physically developing in the same rate as their peers. Few people realise that nothing seems to attack the teenage boy's sense of well-being and self-esteem, as much as being delayed in his physical development in relation to his peers. This study attempted to examine the association between the onset of puberty and adolescent boys' body image and self-esteem. A quantitative approach was adopted. In all 116 questionnaires were distributed in three area secondary schools in Malta. The respondents were adolescent boys aged 14 to 15. The results indicate that a relationship does exist between the timing of puberty and boys' body image and self-esteem. Adolescent boys who were not in-line with their peers in terms of physical development, had more discrepancies between their real and ideal body characteristics and had lower self-esteem.