Clothing as Psychological Shield: The Role of Self-Esteem and Social Anxiety in Clothing Preferences among Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

Clothing in contemporary psychology has transformed from aesthetic needs into a complex medium of psychological expression. Research on the relationship between psychological factors and clothing preferences remains limited, especially in collectivistic cultural contexts like Indonesia. Objective: This study examines the influence of self-esteem and social anxiety on clothing choices among adolescents and young adults in Indonesia, hypothesizing that social anxiety serves as the dominant predictor. Method: Quantitative approach with an online survey design involving 304 participants aged 18-30 years selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results: Both variables significantly influence clothing choices. Individuals with low self-esteem and high social anxiety tend to choose conservative, loose-fitting, neutral-colored clothing. The regression model explains 49.7% of variability in clothing choice (R=0.705; R²=0.497; p<0.001), with social anxiety showing more dominant effect (β=0.525) compared to self-esteem (β=0.302). Implications: These findings benefit clinical psychology in understanding self-expression through clothing and developing therapeutic interventions and inclusive fashion industry.

Busana dalam perspektif psikologi kontemporer telah bertransformasi dari kebutuhan estetika menjadi medium ekspresi psikologis yang kompleks. Penelitian mengenai hubungan faktor psikologis dengan preferensi berpakaian masih terbatas, terutama dalam konteks budaya kolektivis seperti Indonesia. Tujuan: Mengkaji pengaruh self-esteem dan social anxiety terhadap pemilihan busana pada remaja dan dewasa awal di Indonesia, dengan hipotesis bahwa social anxiety berperan sebagai prediktor dominan. Metode: Pendekatan kuantitatif dengan desain survei daring pada 304 partisipan berusia 18-30 tahun melalui purposive sampling. Analisis menggunakan regresi linear berganda. Hasil: Kedua variabel berpengaruh signifikan terhadap pemilihan busana. Individu dengan self-esteem rendah dan social anxiety tinggi cenderung memilih busana tertutup, longgar, dan netral. Model regresi menjelaskan 49,7% variabilitas pemilihan busana (R=0,705; R²=0,497; p<0,001), dengan social anxiety lebih dominan (β=0,525) dibanding self-esteem (β=0,302). Implikasi: Temuan bermanfaat untuk psikologi klinis dalam memahami ekspresi diri melalui busana serta pengembangan intervensi terapeutik dan industri fashion yang inklusif.