The Influence of New Socio-Cultural Environment on Self-Esteem in Connection with Physique Traits in the Group of International Students in Russia
Varvara Yu. Bakholdina, Alla A. Movsesian

Abstract
The biopsychosocial approach in the anthropological investigations assumes that the associations of self-esteem with physique traits can presumably determine the level of psychological well-being, particularly in the new conditions of life in a foreign country. We analyzed associations of self-esteem with physique traits in a group of international students in Russia to reveal the peculiarities of these associations in the new sociocultural environment. The study group included 267 first-year students (79 females and 188 males), from 17 to 31 years of age. The results of the study confirm the data of other authors of higher self-esteem for males compared to females. Our investigation revealed gender differences in the associations of self-esteem with physique traits. Negative associations are more numerous and greater in absolute value in females, especially in the aspect of self- esteem of intellectual abilities. In males, negative associations with physique traits refer to self-esteem of appearance and other people’s attitude. The results obtained reflect the concern of females about their abilities to cope with learning problems in unfamiliar conditions and in a foreign language environment. The similarity between males and females was observed in positive associations of self-esteem of health with physique traits.

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