Record Details

Satisfaction with clothing and personal appearance related to self-esteem and participation in activities among full-time homemakers

ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

Field Value
Title Satisfaction with clothing and personal appearance related to self-esteem and participation in activities among full-time homemakers
Names Olstrom, Janet Marie (creator)
Gates, Ruth (advisor)
Date Issued 1971-07-19 (iso8601)
Note Graduation date: 1972
Abstract The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationships
among satisfaction with clothing, satisfaction with physical appearance,
concern over weight, self-esteem, and participation in leisure-time
activities among a sample of full-time homemakers.
To test these relationships, five measures were used. Satisfaction
with clothing was measured by comparing the actual and ideal ratings
of 34 aspects of clothing or wardrobe. A measurement of satisfaction
with physical appearance was obtained by ratings of 24 aspects of the
physical body on a satisfaction-dissatisfaction continuum. Concern
over weight was measured by summing the ratings of five aspects (bust,
hips, thighs, waist, and weight) from the satisfaction with physical
appearance measure. The three above-mentioned-measures were developed
for this study and pre-tested on students enrolled in Oregon State
University clothing selection classes. The results of the pre-test
were analyzed with appropriate changes being made where necessary.
Self-esteem was measured by use of two scales (Self-Regard and
Self-Acceptance) from the Personal Orientation Inventory by Shostrom
(1963). An adaptation of "Leisure Participation and Enjoyment" by
Pace (1941) was used to measure participation in leisure-time activities.
A short questionnaire was also developed for purposes of sample
description.
Participants in the study were full-time homemakers with children
enrolled in the Pre-School Story Hour Program of the Corvallis Public
Library. The first half of the satisfaction with clothing measure
(actual description of clothing), the satisfaction with physical
appearance measure, and the Personal Orientation Inventory were
administered to the women at the library while their children attended
the story hour. The remainder of the tests were completed by the
participants at home and returned by mail. Information describing the
sample revealed that the majority were between the ages of 25 and 35,
were college-educated, and were married to men of high educational and
occupational attainments. Because of these factors, generalizations
from the study are limited to other full-time homemakers of similar
background.
Analysis of the data revealed that there were significant relationships
at the .01 level between satisfaction with clothing and satisfaction
with physical appearance, and between satisfaction with physical
appearance and low concern over weight. Relationships significant
at the .05 level were found between satisfaction with clothing and
low concern over weight, and between self-esteem and participation
in leisure-time activities. Satisfaction with clothing, satisfaction with physical appearance,
and concern over weight were not related to self-esteem or to participation
in leisure-time activities.
It was concluded that satisfaction with clothing and appearance
are closely related and that self-esteem is a complex phenomenon
requiring further study and investigation. It was suggested that both
self-esteem and participation in activities could be better studied
in relation to satisfaction with clothing, satisfaction with appearance
and concern over weight by differentiating among types of activities
which vary in degree of social contact and intimacy.
Genre Thesis/Dissertation
Topic Clothing and dress -- Psychological aspects
Identifier http://hdl.handle.net/1957/45766

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