Untangling the relationships between age, gender, type of sport, perfectionistic self-presentation and motivation on body satisfaction: a cross-sectional study on aesthetic and non-aesthetic female and male athletes aged 10 to 22 years.

Objectives: To explore the relationships between age, gender, type of sport, perfectionistic self-presentation and motivation on body satisfaction among young athletes in one aesthetic sport (gymnastics) and one non-aesthetic sport (basketball). The study hypothesise that (1) age, gender and type of sport (aesthetic or non-aesthetic) will predict body satisfaction scores, (2) autonomous motivation will positively be related to body satisfaction and (3) perfectionistic self-presentation will negatively be related to body satisfaction.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Method: 209 athletes (132 gymnasts and 77 basketball players) aged 10-22 (median=13) years were recruited. After data screening, 200 athletes were included in analyses (females: n=155; males: n=45). Participants completed an online survey, which assessed demographic information, athlete motivation (Behavioural Regulation in Sport Questionnaire), perfectionistic self-presentation (Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale-Junior Form) and body satisfaction (Body Appreciation Scale-2).

Results: Hierarchical multiple regression showed age, self-assigned gender, and two facets of perfectionistic self-presentation (ie, perfectionistic presentation and non-disclosure of imperfection) to predict reported levels of body satisfaction significantly. Subsequently, adding motivational variables did not improve the model. A moderation analysis showed that the relationship between non-disclosure of imperfection and body satisfaction was significantly moderated by gender.

Conclusions: Two facets of perfectionistic self-presentation were associated with reported body satisfaction. Additionally, the relationship between non-disclosure of imperfection and body satisfaction appears to differ between female and male athletes. Researchers should move beyond sport types and identify factors (eg, perfectionistic self-presentation) at the individual and environmental levels that can protect young athletes' body satisfaction.