The Effects of Acculturative stress and Physical Appearance Satisfaction on School life Adjustment Among Multicultural Middle School Students: The Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem

Perceived Discrimination as a Critical Factor Affecting Self-Esteem, Satisfaction with Physical Appearance and Depression of Racial/Ethnic Minority Adolescents in Korea

“…In addition to self-esteem, another potential factor that needs to be considered is racial/ethnic minority adolescents’ perception of their physical appearance. Accounting for their perception and satisfaction with their physical appearance is critical in studying racial/ethnic minority adolescents, as the stigma and discrimination they face daily is often based on their physical characteristics [ 24 , 25 ]. Concerns over physical appearance are also a common characteristic of adolescents, and dissatisfaction with their physical appearance reportedly affects many adolescents worldwide with potential long-term consequences that persist throughout their adulthood [ 26 , 27 ].…”

“…Concerns over physical appearance are also a common characteristic of adolescents, and dissatisfaction with their physical appearance reportedly affects many adolescents worldwide with potential long-term consequences that persist throughout their adulthood [ 26 , 27 ]. Adolescents’ satisfaction with their physical appearance is known to be linked with eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. There are various reasons behind such disliking of their appearances.…”

“…For example, adolescents’ constant exposure to negative perception and feedback from their social world may play a role. Just as self-esteem is heavily influenced by experiences in their social world, their perception of their physical appearance can also be affected by negative experiences they encounter in their daily lives [ 25 , 31 ]. This is particularly the case for ethnic minority adolescents in Korea, a country known for its relatively homogeneous ethnic population.…”

“…This is particularly the case for ethnic minority adolescents in Korea, a country known for its relatively homogeneous ethnic population. Racial/ethnic discrimination based on physical appearance is reportedly a common experience shared by many racial/ethnic minority groups [ 2 , 24 , 25 ]. Many minority school-aged children and adolescents are often the victims of aggression, violence, and emotional and verbal harassment because they ‘look different’ [ 4 , 25 , 32 ].…”

“…Racial/ethnic discrimination based on physical appearance is reportedly a common experience shared by many racial/ethnic minority groups [ 2 , 24 , 25 ]. Many minority school-aged children and adolescents are often the victims of aggression, violence, and emotional and verbal harassment because they ‘look different’ [ 4 , 25 , 32 ]. One study reported that 15% of racial/ethnic minority adolescents in Korea experienced some type of harassment by their peers because of their physical appearances [ 32 ].…”