THE INFLUENCE OF KOREAN CULTURE: EXAMINING THE LINK BETWEEN

KOREAN BEAUTY STANDARDS AND BODY IMAGE IN THE AB

PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY
OF NUEVA CACERES

A Statistical Analysis
submitted as partial requirement for the subject
Psychological Statistics
College of Arts and Sciences
University of Nueva Caceres

Cayabyab, Alan Clyde B.

Dela Torre, Wilgelmina
Deleña, Buena Mae A.
Edpalina, Nicole
Javier, Vina Cristina O.

October 2023
Table 1

Profile of the respondents

Characteristics Frequency Percentage

Sex
Female 79 79.00
Male 15 15.00
Prefer not to say 6 6.00
Total 100 100.00
Year Level
1st Year 47 47.00
nd
2 Year 27 27.00
rd
3 Year 16 16.00
4th Year 10 10.00
Total 100 100.00
Age Range
17-18 30 30.00
19-20 42 42.00
21-23 28 28.00
Total 100 100.00
Table 2

Respondents’ exposure to Korean culture

Exposure to Korean Exposure to Korean

Scales culture media
Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage
1 5 5.00 1 1.00
2 1 1.00 2 2.00
3 4 4.00 3 3.00
4 8 8.00 3 3.00
5 21 21.00 7 7.00
6 7 7.00 9 9.00
7 13 13.00 12 12.00
8 19 19.00 22 22.00
9 13 13.00 16 16.00
10 9 9.00 25 25.00
100 100.00 100 100.00
Note: Utilizes 10-point scale
1 - least exposed
10 - most exposed
Table 3
Relationship between body competence and respondents’ sex

Indicator Female Male Prefer not to say

AWM I R AWM I R AWM I R
I am satisfied with 2.22 ANBI 11 2.13 ANBI 9.5 2.33 ANBI 4
my body.
I feel in control of 2.37 ANBI 8 2.20 ANBI 8 2.00 ANBI 11.5
my body.
I respect my body 2.27 ANBI 10 2.13 ANBI 9.5 2.17 ANBI 8
(eating enough,
eating healthy,
physical activity,
etc.).
My body makes me 2.11 ANBI 12 1.87 ANBI 12 2.17 ANBI 8
feel confident.
I feel connected 2.34 ANBI 9 2.00 ANBI 11 2.33 ANBI 4
with my body.
I am comfortable 2.41 ANBI 7 2.33 ANBI 5.5 2.50 ANBI 2
with my body.
I aim for a healthier 2.61 APBI 4 2.33 ANBI 5.5 2.00 ANBI 11.5
lifestyle (eating
enough, eating
healthy, physical
activity, etc.) for
myself and because
I want to, not
because of societal
pressure and what
is shown as
beautiful in Korean
culture.
I do not go through 2.80 APBI 2 2.80 APBI 2 2.17 ANBI 8
extreme measures
(restricting food,
rigorous exercise,
etc.) to fit into what
Korean culture
deems as
“beautiful.”
Table 3 (continued).

I am not influenced 2.59 APBI 5 2.33 ANBI 5.5 2.33 ANBI 4

by Korean beauty
standards.
Exposure to Korean 2.49 ANBI 6 2.47 ANBI 3 2.17 ANBI 8
beauty standards
has not impacted
me in any way.
I take pride in my 2.66 APBI 3 2.33 ANBI 5.5 2.17 ANBI 8
unique beauty and
body shape.
I know that there is 3.66 PBI 1 3.20 PBI 1 3.33 PBI 1
no perfect body.
Note: All tables for Body Competence utilizes a modified version of the 16-item adolescent body
image satisfaction scale
Legend: 1.00-1.75: Negative Body Image; 1.76-2.50: Approaching Negative Body Image; 2.51-
3.25: Approaching Positive Body Image; 3.26-4.00: Positive Body Image
Table 4
Relationship between body competence and respondents’ year-level

Indicator 1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year

AWM I R AWM I R AMW I R AMW I R
I am 2.02 ANBI 11 2.41 ANBI 8 2.38 ANBI 8.5 2.30 ANBI 12
satisfied
with my
body.
I feel in 2.19 ANBI 8 2.33 ANBI 11 2.63 APBI 4 2.40 ANBI 9.5
control of
my body.
I respect 2.11 ANBI 10 2.37 ANBI 10 2.31 ANBI 11 2.40 ANBI 9.5
my body
(eating
enough,
eating
healthy,
physical
activity,
etc.).
My body 1.94 ANBI 12 2.22 ANBI 12 2.06 ANBI 12 2.40 ANBI 9.5
makes me
feel
confident.
I feel 2.15 ANBI 9 2.41 ANBI 8 2.38 ANBI 8.5 2.50 ANBI 6
connected
with my
body.
I am 2.30 ANBI 7 2.56 APBI 5 2.38 ANBI 8.5 2.50 ANBI 6
comfortable
with my
body.
Table 4 (continued).

I aim for a 2.43 ANBI 6 2.59 APBI 4 2.75 APBI 3 2.50 ANBI 6
healthier
lifestyle
(eating
enough,
eating
healthy,
physical
activity,
etc.) for
myself and
because I
want to, not
because of
societal
pressure
and what is
shown as
beautiful in
Korean
culture.
I do not go 2.60 APBI 2 2.74 APBI 2 3.00 APBI 2 3.20 APBI 2
through
extreme
measures
(restricting
food,
rigorous
exercise,
etc.) to fit
into what
Korean
culture
deems as
“beautiful.”
I am not 2.49 ANBI 4 2.52 APBI 6 2.50 ANBI 6 2.90 APBI 3
influenced
by Korean
beauty
standards.
Table 4 (continued).

Exposure to 2.47 ANBI 5 2.41 ANBI 8 2.38 ANBI 8.5 2.80 APBI 4
Korean
beauty
standards
has not
impacted
me in any
way.
I take pride 2.57 APBI 3 2.67 APBI 3 2.56 APBI 5 2.40 ANBI 9.5
in my
unique
beauty and
body shape.
I know that 3.60 PBI 1 3.59 PBI 1 3.56 PBI 1 3.40 PBI 1
there is no
perfect
body.
Legend: 1.00-1.75: Negative Body Image; 1.76-2.50: Approaching Negative Body Image; 2.51-
3.25: Approaching Positive Body Image; 3.26-4.00: Positive Body Image
Table 5
Relationship between body competence and respondents’ age

Indicator 17-18 years old 19-20 years old 21-23 years old
AWM I R AWM I R AWM I R
I am satisfied with 2.03 ANBI 11 2.21 ANBI 9 2.39 ANBI 10.5
my body.
I feel in control of 2.33 ANBI 8 2.19 ANBI 10.5 2.50 ANBI 7.5
my body.
I respect my body 2.17 ANBI 10 2.19 ANBI 10.5 2.39 ANBI 10.5
(eating enough,
eating healthy,
physical activity,
etc.).
My body makes 1.97 ANBI 12 2.05 ANBI 12 2.25 ANBI 12
me feel confident.
I feel connected 2.20 ANBI 9 2.24 ANBI 8 2.46 ANBI 9
with my body.
I am comfortable 2.37 ANBI 7 2.31 ANBI 6 2.57 APBI 6
with my body.
I aim for a 2.53 APBI 5 2.40 ANBI 4 2.71 APBI 3
healthier lifestyle
(eating enough,
eating healthy,
physical activity,
etc.) for myself
and because I want
to, not because of
societal pressure
and what is shown
as beautiful in
Korean culture.
I aim for a 2.80 APBI 2 2.50 ANBI 3 3.11 APBI 2
healthier lifestyle
(eating enough,
eating healthy,
physical activity,
etc.) for myself
and because I want
to, not because of
societal pressure
and what is shown
as beautiful in
Korean culture.
Table 5 (continued).

I aim for a healthier 2.70 APBI 3.5 2.38 ANBI 5 2.61 APBI 4
lifestyle (eating
enough, eating
healthy, physical
activity, etc.) for
myself and because I
want to, not because
of societal pressure
and what is shown as
beautiful in Korean
culture.
I aim for a healthier 2.70 APBI 3.5 2.29 ANBI 7 2.50 ANBI 7.5
lifestyle (eating
enough, eating
healthy, physical
activity, etc.) for
myself and because I
want to, not because
of societal pressure
and what is shown as
beautiful in Korean
culture.
I aim for a healthier 2.47 ANBI 6 2.64 APBI 2 2.61 APBI 5
lifestyle (eating
enough, eating
healthy, physical
activity, etc.) for
myself and because I
want to, not because
of societal pressure
and what is shown as
beautiful in Korean
culture.
Table 5 (continued).

I aim for a healthier 3.53 PBI 1 3.52 PBI 1 3.68 PBI 1

lifestyle (eating
enough, eating healthy,
physical activity, etc.)
for myself and because
I want to, not because
of societal pressure
and what is shown as
beautiful in Korean
culture.
Legend: 1.00-1.75: Negative Body Image; 1.76-2.50: Approaching Negative Body Image; 2.51-
3.25: Approaching Positive Body Image; 3.26-4.00: Positive Body Image
Table 6
Relationship between body perception and respondents' sex

Indicator Female Male Prefer not to say

AWM I R AWM I R AWM I R
Korean media and 2.06 APBI 11 2.47 APBI 8 1.83 APBI 11
culture have
influenced how I
view my body.
I wish to look more 2.14 APBI 9 2.53 ANBI 6.5 2.33 APBI 4.5
like the people
Korean culture
deems as "beautiful."
(eg: tall, slim, fair
skin, etc.)
I feel unattractive 2.14 APBI 9 2.27 APBI 11.5 2.17 APBI 8
often, especially
when exposed to
Korean media.
Consuming Korean 2.14 APBI 9 2.27 APBI 11.5 2.17 APBI 8
media makes me feel
insecure in my body.
I often compare my 2.24 APBI 6 2.60 ANBI 5 2.50 APBI 2.5
appearance to others,
especially those who
fit the Korean beauty
standard. (eg: tall,
slim, fair skin, etc)
I spend a lot of time 2.47 APBI 4 2.80 ANBI 3.5 2.33 APBI 4.5
worrying about what
people think of my
appearance.
I spend more time 2.41 APBI 5 2.53 ANBI 6.5 2.50 APBI 2.5
thinking about what I
dislike about my
appearance, than
what I like about it.
My appearance is 2.62 ANBI 3 3.20 ANBI 1 2.17 APBI 8
really important in
how I evaluate my
self-worth.
My feelings about 2.75 ANBI 1.5 2.80 ANBI 3.5 2.17 APBI 8
my appearance get in
the way of accepting
myself or enjoying
my life.
Table 6 (continued).

I spend a 2.04 APBI 12 2.40 APBI 9 2.17 APBI 8

lot of
money,
time or
effort
attempting
to "fix"
my
appearanc
e flaws, or
trying to
look
"perfect."
I avoid 2.20 APBI 7 2.33 APBI 10 1.67 PBI 12
activities,
people or
situations
due to
feeling
self-
conscious
about my
appearanc
e.
My 2.75 ANBI 1.5 3.07 ANBI 2 2.67 ANBI 1
satisfactio
n with my
appearanc
e dictates
my mood,
or how
happy I
feel that
day.
Note: All tables for Body Perception utilizes a modified version of Szuch’s Body Image Self-
Assessment questionnaire
Legend: 1.00-1.75: Positive Body Image; 1.76-2.50: Approaching Positive Body Image; 2.51-
3.25: Approaching Negative Body Image; 3.26-4.00: Negative Body Image
 Table 7
Relationship between body perception and respondents’ year-level

Indicator 1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year

AWM I R AWM I R AMW I R AMW I R
Korean 2.21 APBI 11.5 2.30 APBI 8.5 1.75 PBI 12 1.70 PBI 7.5
media and
culture
have
influenced
how I view
my body.
I wish to 2.30 APBI 7 2.22 APBI 11 2.25 APBI 8 1.70 PBI 7.5
look more
like the
people
Korean
culture
deems as
"beautiful."
(eg: tall,
slim, fair
skin, etc.)
I feel 2.26 APBI 9.5 2.33 APBI 6.5 1.94 APBI 9.5 1.60 PBI 10
unattractive
often,
especially
when
exposed to
Korean
media.
Consuming 2.26 APBI 9.5 2.33 APBI 6.5 1.94 APBI 9.5 1.60 PBI 10
Korean
media
makes me
feel
insecure in
my body.
 Table 7 (continued).

I often 2.40 APBI 6 2.41 APBI 4.5 2.31 APBI 6 1.60 PBI 10
compare
my
appearance
to others,
especially
those who
fit the
Korean
beauty
standard.
(eg: tall,
slim, fair
skin, etc)
I spend a 2.70 ANBI 4 2.41 APBI 4.5 2.38 APBI 3.5 2.10 APBI 4
lot of time
worrying
about what
people
think of my
appearance.
I spend 2.64 ANBI 5 2.26 APBI 10 2.31 APBI 6 2.10 APBI 4
more time
thinking
about what
I dislike
about my
appearance,
than what I
like about
it.
My 2.79 ANBI 3 2.70 ANBI 2 2.38 APBI 3.5 2.60 ANBI 1
appearance
is really
important
in how I
evaluate
my self-
worth.
 Table 7 (continued).

My 2.83 ANBI 2 2.70 ANBI 2 2.56 ANBI 2 2.50 APBI 2

feelings
about my
appearance
get in the
way of
accepting
myself or
enjoying
my life.
I spend a 2.21 APBI 11.5 2.11 APBI 12 2.31 APBI 6 1.20 PBI 12
lot of
money,
time or
effort
attempting
to "fix" my
appearance
flaws, or
trying to
look
"perfect."
I avoid 2.28 APBI 8 2.30 APBI 8.5 1.88 APBI 11 2.00 APBI 6
activities,
people or
situations
due to
feeling
self-
conscious
about my
appearance.
My 2.98 ANBI 1 2.70 ANBI 2 2.81 APBI 1 2.10 APBI 4
satisfaction
with my
appearance
dictates my
mood, or
how happy
I feel that
day.
Legend: 1.00-1.75: Positive Body Image; 1.76-2.50: Approaching Positive Body Image; 2.51-
3.25: Approaching Negative Body Image; 3.26-4.00: Negative Body Image
Table 8
Relationship between body perception and respondents’ age

Indicator 17-18 years old 19-20 years old 21-23 years old
AWM I R AWM I R AWM I R
Korean media and 2.17 APBI 10 2.10 APBI 12 2.07 APBI 7
culture have
influenced how I
view my body.
I wish to look more 2.20 APBI 8 2.24 APBI 10 2.18 APBI 5
like the people
Korean culture
deems as
"beautiful." (eg: tall,
slim, fair skin, etc.)
I feel unattractive 2.20 APBI 8 2.24 APBI 10 2.00 APBI 10.5
often, especially
when exposed to
Korean media.
Consuming Korean 2.20 APBI 8 2.24 APBI 10 2.00 APBI 10.5
media makes me
feel insecure in my
body.
I often compare my 2.37 APBI 6 2.40 APBI 6 2.11 APBI 6
appearance to
others, especially
those who fit the
Korean beauty
standard. (eg: tall,
slim, fair skin, etc)
I spend a lot of time 2.67 ANBI 3 2.57 ANBI 5 2.25 APBI 4
worrying about
what people think of
my appearance.
I spend more time 2.47 APBI 5 2.64 ANBI 4 2.07 APBI 7
thinking about what
I dislike about my
appearance, than
what I like about it.
My appearance is 2.60 ANBI 4 2.90 ANBI 2 2.43 APBI 5
really important in
how I evaluate my
self-worth.
Table 8 (continued).

My feelings about 2.70 ANBI 2 2.79 ANBI 3 2.64 ANBI 1

my appearance get
in the way of
accepting myself or
enjoying my life.
I spend a lot of 1.93 APBI 12 2.36 APBI 7 1.89 APBI 12
money, time or
effort attempting to
"fix" my appearance
flaws, or trying to
look "perfect."
I avoid activities, 2.13 APBI 11 2.31 APBI 8 2.07 APBI 7
people or situations
due to feeling self-
conscious about my
appearance.
My satisfaction with 2.87 ANBI 1 2.95 ANBI 1 2.46 APBI 2
my appearance
dictates my mood,
or how happy I feel
that day.
Legend: 1.00-1.75: Positive Body Image; 1.76-2.50: Approaching Positive Body Image; 2.51-
3.25: Approaching Negative Body Image; 3.26-4.00: Negative Body Image
Figure 1

Sex of the respondents

Note: Number of females = 79, number of males = 15, number of prefer not to say = 6, total N =
100
Figure 2
Year level of the respondents

Note: Number of 1st years = 47, number of 2nd years = 27, number of 3rd years = 16, number of
4th years = 10, total N = 100
Figure 3
Age range of the respondents

Note: Number of 17–18-year-olds = 30, number of 19–20-year-olds = 42, number of 21–23-year-

olds = 28, total N = 100
Figure 4

Respondents’ exposure to Korean culture

Note: Utilizes 10-point scale

1 - least exposed
10- most exposed
Total N =100
Figure 5

Respondents’ exposure to Korean media

Note: Utilizes 10-point scale

1 - least exposed
10 - most exposed
Total N =100