ArticleFrontiers in psychology2026
Body image and self-esteem under social beauty norms: a qualitative study of the experiences of men and women in Saudi Arabia.
Article in Frontiers in psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Introduction: This study examines how social beauty norms shape body image and self-esteem among men and women in Saudi Arabia. While body image has been widely studied in Western contexts, limited research has explored these dynamics in rapidly changing non-Western societies. Methods: A qualitative approach was employed, using semi-structured interviews with 30 Saudi participants (17 men and 13 women). The interviews explored participants' perceptions of their bodies and their experiences with social expectations related to appearance. Results: The findings indicate that beauty standards strongly influence how individuals evaluate their bodies and their social participation. Women reported continuous appearance-based evaluation linked to social acceptance, whereas men framed body expectations more in terms of discipline, fitness, and performance. Participants also described subtle forms of body-related stigma embedded in everyday comments and social interactions, contributing to internalized self-monitoring and feelings of anxiety. Discussion: The study demonstrates that body image in Saudi society operates within a gendered social framework where the body becomes a site of social evaluation and identity negotiation. It contributes to the literature by providing qualitative insights into body image and beauty norms within the Saudi cultural context.
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