Understanding cosmetic surgery consideration in Chinese adolescent girls: Contributions of materialism and sexual objectification

Abstract

Based on objectification theory and the consumer culture impact model, this study examined psychological predictors of cosmetic surgery consideration in 314 Chinese adolescent girls. Path analyses revealed several findings. First, both interpersonal sexual objectification and materialism contributed to internalized appearance ideals, which in turn related to body surveillance, body shame, and facial appearance concerns. Second, the association between materialism and internalized appearance ideals was independent of the association between materialism and interpersonal sexual objectification. Third, internalized appearance ideals were linked to cosmetic surgery consideration via body surveillance and facial appearance concerns. Fourth, while internalized appearance ideals were associated with body shame, body shame did not mediate its association with cosmetic surgery consideration. Fifth, instead of body shame, facial appearance concerns mediated that link between body surveillance and cosmetic surgery consideration as well as the link between internalized appearance ideals and cosmetic surgery consideration. This study provides support to the basic tenets of objectification theory and the consumer culture impact model as applied to Chinese adolescent girls’ willingness to consider cosmetic surgery. It suggests that using a measure that is more sensitive to salient cultural concerns is important when attempting to understand body image issues in different cultural contexts.