Self-perceived attractiveness, romantic desirability and self-esteem: a mating sociometer perspective.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey study (graded by design analogy for non-clinical research).
PubMed 23353113 · doi:10.1177/147470491301100107
What was done
A cross-sectional online survey of 287 young adults (98 male) was conducted to examine whether romantic desirability mediates the link between attractiveness and self-esteem. Participants completed self-report measures of self-perceived attractiveness, appearance self-confidence, romantic relationship confidence, body-esteem, and global self-esteem, analyzed using linear regression models.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, correlation coefficients, or effect sizes. Self-perceived attractiveness, appearance self-confidence, and body-esteem all significantly predicted global self-esteem, with each relationship mediated by romantic self-confidence. Self-perceived attractiveness predicted self-esteem significantly more strongly in females than in males.
Why it matters
The findings support the mating sociometer hypothesis by indicating that self-perceived physical attractiveness relates to global self-esteem through confidence in one's romantic and sexual desirability.
Limits
The design is cross-sectional and relies entirely on subjective self-report questionnaires. The sample is limited to young adults with an uneven sex distribution (only 98 males), and no objective measures of physical attractiveness or actual mating success were obtained.
Cited by
- supports Psychological theory posits that self-esteem functions as an internal monitor or gauge of how well an individual is socially accepted and getting along with others.