Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
186,123 studies31 sourcesUpdated 18 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDBMC psychology

Body image, associated stigma as a determinant of depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents in Salem, Tamil Nadu: a cross-sectional study.

  • Sandhya P1
  • Priyanka Krishnamoorthy2
  • Sendilkumar Balasundaram3
  • Indra Sambasivam4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Master of Public Health, Department of Public Health, School of Allied Health Sciences, VIMS campus, VMRF-DU, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
  2. 2Department of Public Health, School of Allied Health Sciences, VIMS Campus, VMRF - DU, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. [email protected].
  3. 3Dean, Allied Health Sciences, VIMS Campus, VMRF - DU, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
  4. 4Department of Public Health, School of Allied Health Sciences, VIMS Campus, VMRF - DU, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Background

Body image shaming is a growing public health concern affecting adolescent mental health. Adolescents face increasing pressure from peers, families, and the media regarding their appearance. Negative comments about appearance have been associated with depression, anxiety, and stress during this critical developmental stage.Aim

To explore the association between body image shaming and depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents in Salem, Tamil Nadu.Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 310 adolescents aged 10-19 years, selected through multistage random sampling in Salem. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire including socio-demographics, the Body Image Shaming Scale (BISS-20), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Inferential statistics included chi-square tests to examine associations between categorical variables and binary logistic regression analyses adjusted for gender, BMI category, residence, and education level to assess the independent association between body image shaming and depression, anxiety, and stress.Results

High levels of body image shaming were reported by 46.8% of the participants. Mild depression (19.7%), extremely severe anxiety (22.6%), and moderate stress (19.7%) were observed. There was a significant association between body image shaming and depression (χ²=13.5; p = 0.009), anxiety (χ²=41.2; p < 0.001), and stress (χ²=36.78; p < 0.001). BMI was significantly associated with stress (p < 0.02).Conclusion

Body image shaming is prevalent among adolescents and is strongly associated with adverse mental health outcomes. Awareness campaigns should target both adolescents who experience shaming and those who engage in it, promoting empathy, body positivity, and supportive peer interactions. Targeted interventions, such as awareness campaigns, peer support groups, counselling services, and school-based programs, are essential to address this issue and promote adolescent well-being.

Related

  1. Depression and Anxiety Among Adolescents with Cancer: A Saudi Cross-Sectional Study
    Alyah A. Alqarni, Abdulhadi A. Alhabbad, Samah H. Alkhawashki +9
    Pediatric reportsPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC
  2. Symptom network structure of anxiety, depression, and stress among Chinese adolescents: a large-scale cross-sectional study in Fujian Province
    Wenqing Rao, Zhifeng Lin, Hua Jiang +2
    Frontiers in Public HealthPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textEpidemiology & public healthCrossrefDOAJ
  3. Prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among women of childbearing age in Lorestan, Iran: a cross-sectional study
    Hediyeh Taghva, Maryam Kazemi Ashtiani, Saeideh Khoramabadi +6
    Scientific ReportsPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textEpidemiology & public healthDOAJ
  4. Prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate health professions students in Borama, Somaliland: a cross-sectional study.
    Kahsay Hailu Negash, Abdilahi Abdkarim Osman, Ahmed Moumin Abdilahi +4
    BMC psychiatryPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDFull textPsychiatry & mental healthEurope PMCDOAJ
  5. Cognitive and Physical Functioning in Young Adults with Stroke: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress
    Dilek Baykal, Ozge Fircasiguzel, Demet Aygun
    Neurology internationalPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{sandhya2026body,
  title = {{Body image, associated stigma as a determinant of depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents in Salem, Tamil Nadu: a cross-sectional study.}},
  author = {Sandhya P and Priyanka Krishnamoorthy and Sendilkumar Balasundaram and Indra Sambasivam},
  journal = {BMC psychology},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1186/s40359-026-05222-w},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958359},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Body image, associated stigma as a determinant of depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents in Salem, Tamil Nadu: a cross-sectional study.
AU  - Sandhya P
AU  - Priyanka Krishnamoorthy
AU  - Sendilkumar Balasundaram
AU  - Indra Sambasivam
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/24
JO  - BMC psychology
DO  - 10.1186/s40359-026-05222-w
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958359
AB  - Background  Body image shaming is a growing public health concern affecting adolescent mental health. Adolescents face increasing pressure from peers, families, and the media regarding their appearance. Negative comments about appearance have been associated with depression, anxiety, and stress during this critical developmental stage.Aim  To explore the association between body image shaming and depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents in Salem, Tamil Nadu.Methods  A cross-sectional study was conducted among 310 adolescents aged 10-19 years, selected through multistage random sampling in Salem. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire including socio-demographics, the Body Image Shaming Scale (BISS-20), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Inferential statistics included chi-square tests to examine associations between categorical variables and binary logistic regression analyses adjusted for gender, BMI category, residence, and education level to assess the independent association between body image shaming and depression, anxiety, and stress.Results  High levels of body image shaming were reported by 46.8% of the participants. Mild depression (19.7%), extremely severe anxiety (22.6%), and moderate stress (19.7%) were observed. There was a significant association between body image shaming and depression (χ²=13.5; p = 0.009), anxiety (χ²=41.2; p < 0.001), and stress (χ²=36.78; p < 0.001). BMI was significantly associated with stress (p < 0.02).Conclusion  Body image shaming is prevalent among adolescents and is strongly associated with adverse mental health outcomes. Awareness campaigns should target both adolescents who experience shaming and those who engage in it, promoting empathy, body positivity, and supportive peer interactions. Targeted interventions, such as awareness campaigns, peer support groups, counselling services, and school-based programs, are essential to address this issue and promote adolescent well-being.
SN  - 2050-7283
ER  -