Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part B (2025)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of peer attachment and body dissatisfaction on social appearance anxiety disorder of adolescents. A sample of 280 adolescents ranging their age from 12 to 18 years was randomly selected as participants. Bangla version of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA), The Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA) and Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS) was also used for collecting data. Collecting data were analysed by computing t-test, correlation and Regression. Pearson product moment correlation was used to determine the significant level of correlation. The results of the study indicate that the girls scored significantly higher than the boys in peer attachment. In body esteem boys scored higher than girls. In social appearance anxiety disorder girls scored higher than the boys. The result of the study also indicates that there was significant difference between early adolescence and late adolescence in peer attachment and there was no significant difference between early adolescence and late adolescence in body esteem and social appearance anxiety disorder. Result of correlation indicates that peer attachment is negatively correlated with body esteem and positive correlation was found between peer attachment and social appearance anxiety disorder; and also, negative correlation was found between body esteem and social appearance anxiety disorder. A regression analysis investigated the predictive ability of peer attachment toward body dissatisfaction and social appearance anxiety. However, the study shows that there is significant difference in body dissatisfaction of adolescent's girls and boys. It also shows that girls are more dissatisfied with their body than boys and increases in body dissatisfaction increases in social appearance anxiety disorder. Students in early adolescence benefit from peer connections most because research shows their mental health depends greatly on peer relationships particularly in girls. The research proposes useful methods to improve peer relationships and body contentment among students during this critical age period.