Importance of physical attractiveness and social skills in adjustment

A review of the literature reveals that there have been no systematic attempts to relate physical attractiveness and social skills to adjustment in a “normal” nonhospitalized adult population. TO explore these interrelationships, fifty college women were asked to fill out questionnaires, were interviewed and were rated on a variety of measures pertaining to social skills, physical attractiveness and adjustment. Twenty-five of the women had been previously seen at the University Mental Health Service. The entire interview was tape recorded and also rated. The results indicate that women who have been to the Mental Health Service feel more alone and Isolated from other people and are less perceptive of differences among people with whom they interact. The results, however, did not reveal any consistent interrelationships between the variables. The possible reasons for this and the implications that can be drawn from the few positive findings are also discussed.