Master's Theses

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

Date of Award

Summer 2004

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Communication Studies

Advisor

Carol Haggard

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine if an individual’s level of communication apprehension is correlated with the individual’s perception of their body esteem. Communication apprehension (CA) is “an individual’s level of fear or anxiety associated with either real or anticipated communication with another person or persons,” (McCroskey, 1977). Body esteem is referred to as an affective component of body image or feelings one has about his or her body (Franzoi & Shields, 1984; Henriques & Calhoun, 1999). Research has shown that CA can affect many sectors of an individual’s life. There has been an extensive amount of research done on CA and individuals in interpersonal relationships, occupational choices and treatment techniques, but very little research has explored body esteem as a CA correlate. There has also been very little research conducted over whether or not gender plays a role in CA and body esteem. This study investigated communication apprehension and body esteem levels of college students enrolled in an introductory speech course. The participants for the study came from a Midwest University where the average size for the introductory speech classes was approximately twenty. McCroskey’s (1981) Personal Report of Communication Apprehension-24 (PRCA-24) and Franzoi and Shield’s (1984) Body Esteem Scale (BES) was administrated to approximately 250 college students to determine if there is a correlation between an individual’s level of communication apprehension and their level of body esteem. The results were also examined to determine if any significant gender differences in the relationship between CA scores and body esteem scores were prevalent.

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© 2004 Heather Alexander

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