Abstract
Much research regarding social physique anxiety (SPA) and self-presentational efficacy (SPE) has focused on young adults, while less is known about older adults. As part of a large multidisciplinary project, the purpose of this study was to explore body image in older adults. Participants (N= 298) completed a questionnaire package including measures of SPA, SPE, and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. Multiple linear regressions were calculated to determine if body concerns in older adults could predict appearance and health evaluations. Controlling for age, gender and body mass index, results indicated the overall regression to predict appearance evaluation was significant (F (6,279)= 52.44, p<.05, R2adj= .52), with both SPA (B= -.472, p=.000) and SPE (B= .285, p=.000) as significant predictors. The overall regression to predict health evaluation was also significant (F (6,279)= 17.85, p<.05, R2adj= .26), again, both SPA (B= -.199, p=.003) and SPE (B= .147, p=.033) were significant predictors. Therefore, older adults with greater SPA and lower SPE were more likely to evaluate their appearance and health less favourably. Although a shift in focus from appearance to physical function exists among older adults (Baker & Gringart, 2009), it seems body-related concerns, such as SPA, may impact overall perceptions more so than initially thought. As older adults' self-perceptions of physical capabilities in an exercise context appear to contribute to body image more so than actual capabilities (Lichtenberger et al., 2003), it is important to further explore body-related concerns in older adults to ensure self perceptions do not hinder exercise behaviour.
