BODY IMAGE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH SHYNESS AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS OF THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCES - UNIVERSITY OF BASRA

The study aimed to investigate the nature of the relationship between body image and shyness among a sample of female students from the College of Physical Education and Sports Science. Additionally, it aimed to determine the level of shyness among these students and explore the statistically significant relationship between body image and shyness. The study sample consisted of 60 female students from the College of Physical Education and Sports Science at the University of Basra, To achieve the study's objectives, the researcher employed a descriptive-analytical method. Questionnaires were used as the primary tool for data collection, with two specific instruments: one to measure body image, comprising 29 items, and another to measure shyness, comprising 26 items. These tools were initially applied to a pilot sample of 15 students from the study population. After verifying the validity and reliability of the instruments and ensuring they had good psychometric properties, they were distributed to a random sample of 60 students. Multiple statistical methods were used to analyze the responses of the sample members. Study Results: 1. Body image is not constant but changes according to life events. It varies between illness and health and across different life stages, as well as according to economic and social conditions. Key Recommendations: 1. Guide students who suffer from negative thoughts about their body image and help them overcome the psychological difficulties they face.