BMI and social avoidance: The mediating roles of body dissatisfaction and self-esteem

Huan Song^1,2, Yuan Zhao³, Chenglin He^2,4,*
1 School of Educational Science, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang, China
2 School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
3 Police Officer Academy, Shandong University of Political Science and Law, Jinan, China
4 Psychological Counseling Center, Zhanjiang University of Science and Technology, Zhanjiang, China
* Corresponding Author: Chenglin He. Email: email

Journal of Psychology in Africa https://doi.org/10.32604/jpa.2026.069347

Received 20 June 2025; Accepted 14 February 2026; Published online 26 March 2026

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Abstract

This study aimed to explore the mediating roles of body dissatisfaction and self-esteem on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and among female college students. Using a cross-sectional study design, 669 Chinese female college students completed the Body Mass Index, the Body Image States Scale, the Self-Esteem Scale, and the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale. The results showed that body dissatisfaction partially mediated the relationship between BMI and social avoidance. Additionally, body dissatisfaction and self-esteem together formed a serial mediation pathway between BMI and social avoidance. In other words, BMI shows a direct association with social avoidance among female college students, as well as indirect associations through the simple mediation of body dissatisfaction and the serial mediation of body dissatisfaction and self-esteem. Findings suggest that increased body satisfaction and self-esteem can reduce social avoidance among female college students.