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Examining Body Satisfaction and Emotional–Social Intelligence among School Children: Educational Implications

Author

Listed:
  • Diana Amado Alonso

    (Centre for Sport Studies, Physical Education Area, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain)

  • Benito León-del-Barco

    (Department of Psychology, Teacher Training College, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain)

  • Santiago Mendo-Lázaro

    (Department of Psychology, Teacher Training College, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain)

  • Damián Iglesias Gallego

    (Physical Education & Exercise Lab, Teacher Training College, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain)

Abstract

In childhood, the perception of body image is in the construction phase and emerges linked to the aesthetic ideals of society, which is well differentiated according to gender. In this way, according to people’s interpretations of the environment and how to manage it emotionally, greater or lesser body satisfaction may be generated, which could have irreversible consequences for children. Therefore, our interest lies in how body image satisfaction and gender can act as modulating variables of emotional intelligence in childhood, analyzing differences in the intrapersonal, interpersonal, stress management, adaptability, and mood dimensions of emotional intelligence, according to the degree of body image satisfaction and the child’s gender. A total of 944 Primary Education students selected by multistage cluster sampling, 548 boys and 396 girls aged between 9 and 12 years from different schools in Extremadura (Spain), participated in the research. The study design was descriptive, and questionnaires to measure emotional intelligence, self-perception, and body image satisfaction were used. An analysis of descriptive statistics, a Chi-square test to measure the variance/invariance of the participants’ distribution according to their satisfaction with body image and gender, and a MANOVA to determine the possible effects of satisfaction with body image as well as of gender on emotional intelligence were conducted. Regardless of gender, children who were satisfied with their body image showed higher interpersonal intelligence, greater adaptability, and better mood. With respect to gender, girls showed higher stress management than boys. Throughout Compulsory Education, it is necessary to promote campaigns imparted by specialists to prevent body image dissatisfaction, so that the benefits can reach the entire educational community (students, teachers, and parents). In this work, several possibilities are described to meet the demands of contemporary society.

Suggested Citation

  • Diana Amado Alonso & Benito León-del-Barco & Santiago Mendo-Lázaro & Damián Iglesias Gallego, 2020. "Examining Body Satisfaction and Emotional–Social Intelligence among School Children: Educational Implications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-10, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:6:p:2120-:d:335752
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sergio Rivera-Pérez & Benito León-del-Barco & Javier Fernandez-Rio & Jerónimo J. González-Bernal & Damián Iglesias Gallego, 2020. "Linking Cooperative Learning and Emotional Intelligence in Physical Education: Transition across School Stages," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-11, July.
    2. Emanuele Maria Giusti & Chiara Manna & Anna Scolari & José M. Mestre & Tamara Prevendar & Gianluca Castelnuovo & Giada Pietrabissa, 2021. "The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence, Obesity and Eating Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Mapping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.

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