The Relationship of Self-Objectification and Body Shame to Attitudes Toward and Willingness to Use Reusable Menstrual Products

Abstract

Reusable menstrual products (RMPs) are an economical and environmentally sound alternative to disposable tampons and pads; however, disposable products remain popular. Because self-objectification and body shame encourage women to distance themselves from their bodies, these psychosocial variables may explain some individuals’ low willingness to use RMPs, which require close contact with the body or with menstrual fluid. In a cross-sectional study, undergraduate students with menstrual periods (N = 62) completed surveys that assess the variables of interest. Greater self-objectification predicted higher body shame, which in turn predicted negative attitudes toward and low willingness to use RMPs after we controlled for pro-environmental orientation and BMI.