The Impact of Body Image Distortion on Depression in Youths: Focusing on the Mediating Effects of Stress

Abstract

This study aims to examine whether body image distortion influences depression in youths and whether the influence is mediated by stress. Data come from the 12th (2016) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. The sample consists of 48,511 youths in the 7th to 9th grades. Key findings can be summarized as follows: First, distortion of body image was found to have positive impacts on depression in youths. Second, stress was found to partially mediate the relationship between body image distortion and depression. While body image distortion has direct impacts on depression of youth, the stress has partial mediation effects on depression. The findings are meaningful in that this study is based on the large sample size of youth. This study conclude with policy and practice implications on youth’s body image distortion, stress, and depression.