Self-Esteem and Body Appreciation in Students of Sports Sciences Faculty: A Structural Equation Model

The aim of this research is to examine the body appreciation and self-esteem levels of sports sciences faculty students. In this study, it was used relational screening model that is one of the quantitative reserch methods. The research group of the study was composed of students who study in Faculty of Sports Sciences in Gazi University. In study, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) were used as data collection tools. The Pearson Moments Product Correlation, structural equation model and path analysis independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, percentage, frequency and descriptive statistics were used in data analysis. As a result of the research, it was determined that the self-esteem of students of sports sciences faculty is at an average level. In addition, it was found that the level of participants' appreciating their own body was high. Moreover, it was concluded that self-esteem of female participants was higher than male participants, athletes in team sports has higher self-esteem than athletes in individual sports, 40-55 kg participants had a higher body appreciation score than 101 and over kg participants. Finally, it was concluded that the level of body appreciation increases as the level of self-esteem increases. As a conclusion of this study, it can be said that higher body appreciation correlated with higher self-esteem.