Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder: Self-Perception of Physical Attractiveness Among Secondary School Adolescents

Abstract This study investigated body characteristics and gender differences that contribute to self-perception of physical attractiveness among adolescents. Quantitative data were collected with a questionnaire administered to 430 adolescents aged 15 to 17 years selected through a multistage sampling technique from secondary schools in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The questionnaire included the Physical Attractiveness Rating Scale (PARS) and the Physical Attribute Questionnaire (PAQ). Independent sample t-test, and Multiple Regression Analyses were used for analyses. Statistical significance was set at p < .05. The mean overall attractiveness rating on the PARS was 1.66 (SD = 0.11), with ears and face rated as the most attractive body parts. The mean attractiveness score on the PAQ was 19.34 (SD = 3.47). Male and female participants differed with self-perception of physical attractiveness on the PARS [t (428) = 3.13 p = .003]; females perceived some body characteristics, namely mouth (t = 3.52; p < .05), teeth (t = 3.04; p < .05), nose (t = 2.40; p < .05), face (t = 1.98; p < .05), hair texture (t = 2.41; p < .05), hips (t = 3.85; p < .05) and thighs (t = 2.47; p < .05) as more attractive than males. Participants’ evaluation of individual body characteristics predicted self-perception of physical attractiveness (F = 2.85, p < .05, R2 = 0.16 and Adjusted R2 = 0.10). Study concluded that evaluation of individual body characteristics influenced self-perceived physical attractiveness. Gender influenced the perception of some specific body characteristics and overall physical attractiveness among studied adolescents.