The Role of Personality Factors and Sexual Self-schema in Body Image Dissatisfaction

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of five major personality factors and sexual self-schema in body image dissatisfaction. In this study, a correlational design was used and 270 individuals (Male: 135, Female: 135) with age of 17 to 40, citizens of Tehran, who were selected by the available random sampling were included. They completed Neo-PI questionnaire, Fisher body image scale (Fisher, 1970), and Sexual Self-schema Scale (Cyranowski & Andersen, 1998). The results show a meaningful and positive relationship between neuroticism and body image dissatisfaction; there is also a meaningful and negative relationship between conscientiousness, openness to experience, extroversion, agreeableness and body image dissatisfaction. General sexual Self-schema, the personality factors of neuroticism and agreeableness can predict 26.9 percent of body image dissatisfaction variance. Low scores in positive personality characteristics such as conscientiousness, openness to experience, extroversion and agreeableness and high scores in the neuroticism with poor sexual Self-schema make the individuals vulnerable to negative messages about their body sizes and shapes that finally results in their body image dissatisfaction.