Analysis of Path Model Based on Objectification Theory for College Women's Eating Disorder Symptomatology.

Abstract

This study was to examine the fitness of a path model based on the objectification theory and to expand it by including the new variables to explain eating disorder symptomatology (EDS). The subjects consisted of 444 college women. Data was collected through self-report questionnaires that measured self-objectification (SO), social physique anxiety (SPA) and EDS as the original variables in the objectification theory, and influence of mass media (IMM) and sex-role attitude (SRA) as the new variables. Data was analyzed by SPSS/WIN 12.0 and Amos 5.0 programs. IMM and SRA showed direct effect on SO. IMM had direct and indirect effect on SPA and EDS. SRA had direct and indirect effect on EDS, but only indirect effect on SPA. SO and SPA influenced EDS directly, and SO influenced indirectly EDS. Path analyses indicated support for the original theory and the expanded theory. It is necessary for repeated studies including various age groups of women to clarify the applicability of the objectification theory to Korean women's eating disorders. And it were recommended that we should promote womens' criticism of the image and message about the perfect female body presented in the mass media, and to highlight the relationship of gender equality to women's eating disorders in health education.