Muscular strength is associated with self-esteem in college men but not women. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ciccolo, Joseph T; SantaBarbara, Nicholas J; Dunsiger, Shira I; Busch, Andrew M; Bartholomew, John B
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 21:Number 12(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 3072
• Page End: 3078
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: college students -- men's health -- muscular strength -- resistance exercise -- self-esteem; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105315592051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

Muscular strength is a well-known predictor of morbidity and mortality. Similarly, self-esteem is a predictor of health and well-being. The relationship between these two variables, however, is currently unknown. This study examined the cross-sectional relationship between maximal muscular strength (i.e. handgrip and one-repetition-maximum (1-RM) squat) and global self-esteem in 126 college students. Significant correlations were found between both measures of muscular strength and self-esteem. Further analyses revealed that these relationships were only significant for men. Based on these results, additional research is needed to further explore the relationship between muscular strength and self-esteem, especially in other demographic groups and longitudinally.