Through the Looking Glass
For the absolute value of the actual image minus the self selected image, we were able to see the accuracy of selection among the groups. A significant main effect was seen in the interaction of age and condition. This basically means that as the age of the dancer increases, so does the accuracy of selection. This may be for one of two reasons; 1) a certain level of awareness is obtained by the dancer the older they get, or 2) a level of acceptance sinks in. In either scenario, the dancer remains dissatisfied, as you will see in the up coming sections.
Significant Main Effect:​
Age*Condition:​
p=.001
The absolute value of the actual image minus the feel image measures the discrepancy between how the participant feels their body looks versus how it actually looks. A significant main effect was seen in condition, meaning that there was more of a discrepancy between actual and feel images in dancers in both age groups, when compared to their non-dancing peers.
Significant Main Effect:​
Condition:​
p<.05
The directional score of the participants actual image minus their self selected image show either satisfaction, or dissatisfaction. In this case, negative numbers signify lower levels of satisfaction, and positive numbers show confidence in one's appearance. For this, we saw a significant main effect in condition and in age. This means that dancers scored lower in both age groups, in comparison to non-dancers, but scored even lower in the high school age range. This supports hypothesis #1.
Significant Main Effect:​
Condition:​
p<.001​
Age:​
p<.01
Significant Main Effect: ​
Condition:​
p<.001
Significant Main
Effect:
Condition:
p<.01
Significant Main
Effect:
Condition:
p<.001
The directional score of the actual minus feel image, again signifies levels of satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Negative number, as usual, show levels of dissatisfaction. A significant main effect was found in condition, meaning that on average, dancers feel like they are larger than they truly are, more so than their non-dancing peers in both age groups. This supports hypothesis #2.
This graph shows the means scores in each group of question #32 on the Body Esteem Scale. The question asked the participant to rate their feelings about their current weight on a 5 point likert scale, lower numbers mean lower levels of satisfaction. When scores were compared, a significant main effect was seen in condition, supporting hypothesis #3. This means that the average scores for dancers, in both age groups, was lower than non-dancers.
Finally, this graph represents the total mean sum of every element on the body esteem scale. Again, lower scores indicate lower levels of satisfaction, and we can see that once again, dancers total mean score was lower than their non dancing peers.