An analysis of the literature on self-compassion, self-esteem, and body image as predictors of adolescent reckless behavior

• Main Author: Holder, Christen Marie
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Self-compassion; Self-esteem; Body image; Reckless behavior; Risky behavior; Problem behavior; Risk-taking behavior; Adolescents; Adolescent
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2152/ETD-UT-2009-12-541

Adolescent reckless behavior is a major concern for society because it leads to the three most common causes of mortality for this age group. Body image and self-esteem have been proposed as constructs that have an effect on adolescents’ participation in reckless behavior. Self-esteem, however, has been garnering criticism in recent years for promoting narcissism and downward social comparison with others. Self-compassion is an alternative to self-esteem that focuses on accepting oneself and having feelings of common humanity. This report proposes a study that would measure reckless behavior in adolescents, and look at the effect self-compassion, self-esteem, and body image has on it. In addition, self-compassion will be examined to see if it moderates the effect body image has on self-esteem. === text