Higher Body Shame Research Articles

Self-objectification in Chinese pregnant women: The mixed role of functionality appreciation

Extensions of objectification theory to pregnant women are few and continued research is needed to better understand the psychological consequences of significant changes to physical appearance during pregnancy. Specific interests in this area include functionality appreciation which may be particularly relevant to pregnancy. Research in this area is also lacking representation of non-Western cultural contexts. To this end, we employed an online survey to assess objectification theory and functionality appreciation in Chinese pregnant women (N = 345). Correlations showed that higher body surveillance and body shame were associated with higher disordered eating and psychological distress, and higher functionality appreciation was associated with lower body surveillance, body shame, and disordered eating. Mediation analyses suggested that higher body surveillance was associated with higher body shame which, in turn, was associated with higher disordered eating and psychological distress. Main effects suggested a negative association between functionality appreciation and body shame, but moderation analyses suggested that higher functionality appreciation strengthened the positive association between body surveillance and body shame. Findings underscore objectification theory as a useful framework to understand eating and body image disturbances and psychological distress in Chinese pregnant women and outline future directions to clarify the temporal nature of these associations and the precise role of functionality appreciation.

An Examination of Youths’ Social Media Use and Body Image

Abstract: Research has suggested that social media use may present a risk to body image, but limited research explores newer social media platforms and how they are used. This study examined 275 youths’ ( Mage = 20.71) social media use in association with both positive and negative aspects of body image. Participants completed an online survey that included body image measures and items that queried them about the social media platforms they used (e.g., TikTok) and the activities they engaged in on these platforms. Findings indicated that women were more engaged in social media use and had lower body esteem and higher body shame and surveillance than men. Simultaneous regression analyses revealed that appearance-focused social media use, but not communication-focused use, was associated with negative body image. Age moderated the association between appearance-focused social media use and body appreciation. Together, these findings suggest that age, gender, and the ways in which youth use social media are important to consider in understanding potential risk for body image concerns.

Struggling at School: Are Exposure to Television's Eurocentric Appearance Norms and Objectified Body Consciousness Associated Factors?

Theoretical work on objectified body consciousness, comprised of body surveillance and body shame, proposes several negative sequelae of holding an objectified view of the self (i.e., valuing the body primarily for its attractiveness to others). Few studies have examined associations between objectified body consciousness and academic beliefs and strategies among adolescent girls, especially girls of color. In the present study, we investigated a conceptual model whereby exposure to Eurocentric appearance norms through TV consumption is related to body surveillance and body shame which, in turn, are related to academic beliefs and strategies among a racially diverse sample of United States girls. Participants were 650 self-identified Asian American/Pacific Islander, Black, and White adolescent girls ( Mage = 15.45, SDage = 1.50). Higher Eurocentric appearance norms exposure was associated with higher body shame which, in turn, was associated with maladaptive academic beliefs and strategies for all three groups of girls. In contrast, higher Eurocentric appearance norms exposure was associated with higher body surveillance and just one academic belief, and in White girls only. Future work should continue to examine these associations among adolescent girls of color. In addition, we encourage educators to include body image content in media literacy curricula as a means of disrupting associations between Eurocentric appearance norms, body shame, and academic functioning.

Examining an integrated sociocultural and objectification model of thinness- and muscularity-oriented disordered eating in Chinese older men and women.

We tested an integrated model of three prominent theories of disordered eating (tripartite influence theory, objectification theory, and social comparison theory) in a sample of older Chinese men and women. Chinese older men (n = 270) and women (n = 160) completed questionnaires assessing the tripartite influence, objectification, and social comparison theories and thinness- and muscularity-oriented disordered eating. Two structural equation models were tested in Chinese older men and women. The integrated model showed good model fit and described meaningful variance in thinness- and muscularity-oriented disordered eating in Chinese older men and women. Higher appearance pressures were uniquely related to higher muscularity-oriented disordered eating in men. Across both gender groups, higher thinness internalization was uniquely related to higher thinness- and muscularity-oriented disordered eating, and in women only, higher muscularity internalization was uniquely related to lower thinness-oriented disordered eating. In men, higher upward and downward body image comparisons were uniquely related to higher and lower, respectively, muscularity-oriented disordered eating. In women, higher upward body image comparisons were only uniquely related to higher muscularity-oriented disordered eating while higher downward body image comparisons were uniquely related to both outcomes. Higher body shame was uniquely related to higher thinness-oriented disordered eating across both groups and in men alone, higher body shame was also uniquely related to higher muscularity-oriented disordered eating. Findings, which tested the integration of tripartite influence, objectification, and social comparison theories, inform the prevention and treatment of disordered eating in Chinese older populations. The present study is the first to describe theories of disordered eating (tripartite influence, objectification, and social comparison) in Chinese older adults. Findings suggested good model fit and the integrated models described meaningful variance in thinness- and muscularity-oriented disordered eating in Chinese older women and men. Findings extend existing theories of disordered eating and, pending further study, may inform theory-driven prevention and treatment approaches in Chinese older adults.

Body image, weight management behavior, and women’s interest in cosmetic surgery

ABSTRACT In the current study, we examined body image and weight management behavior as potential factors associated with young women’s interest in obtaining cosmetic surgery. Research focusing on objectification theory, problem behavior syndrome, and positive body image provide support for considering these factors as predictors of interest in cosmetic surgery. Female undergraduates (N = 170; M = 20.27 years old) at a college in the northeastern United States completed assessments of interest in cosmetic surgery, body image, and weight management behavior. Regression analyses indicated that women who had higher BMIs, higher body surveillance, higher body shame, and who engaged in more unhealthy weight management behaviors were more interested in obtaining cosmetic surgery. Body appreciation was significantly negatively correlated with interest in cosmetic surgery but did not significantly predict it when other factors were considered in a regression model. Results suggest that self-objectification and engaging in a constellation of appearance-related risk behaviors may place women at risk for pursuing cosmetic surgery.

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

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.

Men Respond Too: The Effects of a Social-Evaluative Body Image Threat on Shame and Cortisol in University Men.

Framed within social self-preservation theory, the present study investigated men’s psychobiological responses to social-evaluative body image threats. University men (n = 66) were randomly assigned to either a high or low social-evaluative body image threat condition. Participants provided saliva samples (to assess cortisol) and completed measures of state body shame prior to and following their condition, during which anthropometric and strength measures were assessed. Baseline corrected values indicated men in the high social-evaluative body image threat condition had higher body shame and cortisol than men in the low social-evaluative body image threat condition. These findings suggest that social evaluation in the context of situations that threaten body image leads to potentially negative psychobiological responses in college men.

Enhancing positive body image: An evaluation of a cognitive behavioral therapy intervention and an exploration of the role of body shame

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the effectiveness of a 6-week cognitive-behavioral group intervention in promoting the development of positive body image. The study also examined if, in accordance with the objectification theory, participants who reported higher levels of body shame would (a) report higher levels of body dissatisfaction, and (b) demonstrate less improvement in response to the Positive Bodies program. A total of 52 women aged 17–54 years completed self-report measures of self-esteem, body area satisfaction, body image quality of life, body shame, and self-surveillance at the commencement and conclusion of the program. The results provided preliminary support for the overall effectiveness of the program. Contrary to predictions, higher body shame was associated with greater improvements in indicators of body image over time. Further comparisons with a control or treatment comparison group are required; however, the results support benefits for individuals with body dissatisfaction, particularly those reporting higher levels of body shame.

The impact of spirituality on eating disorder symptomatology in ethnically diverse Canadian women

There is currently a gap in our knowledge of how eating disorder symptomatology is impacted by spirituality and religiosity. To date, studies examining the role of ethnicity in women's self-reported levels of eating disorder symptomatology have neglected the roles of spirituality and religiosity. This study addresses this gap in the literature by investigating ethnicity, spirituality, religiosity, body shame, body mass index (BMI) and age in relation to eating disorder symptomatology in women. A representative non-clinical sample of ethnically diverse Canadian women (N = 591) was surveyed. Younger women, particularly those with higher body shame, BMI and lower spirituality, reported more eating disorder symptomatology. Hispanic and Asian women had higher body shame and lower BMI compared to white women. Spirituality was more strongly related to eating disorder symptomatology than religiosity. This is the first study identifying interactive relationships between ethnicity, spirituality, body shame, BMI and age on eating disorder symptomatology in women. Particularly significant is that higher spirituality was related to a lower level of eating disorder symptomatology. These findings have important implications for treatment and women's physical and psychological health and wellness.

Homosexuality as a Risk Factor for Eating Disorder Symptomatology in Men

Sexual orientation, body shame, body mass index (BMI), weight discrepancy and age were investigated as risks for eating disorder symptomatology in gay and heterosexual men ( N = 230). Higher body shame (the dominant predictor) was associated with higher eating disorder symptomatology. Body shame appeared to be an expression of muscularity. BMI was the next strongest predictor, with heavier men reporting greater weight discrepancy, and in turn, eating disorder symptomatology. Overall, gay men were at greater risk for eating disorder symptomatology than heterosexual men, and a thin-muscular body ideal applies to younger rather than older gay men. These findings have important implications for intervention, prevention and promotion of men's health.

Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescent Boys and Girls: Objectified Body Consciousness, Internalization of the Media Body Ideal and Perceived Pressure from Media

The aim of the present study was to examine a theoretical model describing the relationships between body shame and body surveillance (components of objectified body consciousness), internalization of the media body ideal, perceived pressure from media, body mass index and body dissatisfaction in Swiss adolescent boys and girls. A sample of 819 boys and 791 girls aged 14–16 years completed self-report measures of the mentioned concepts. As expected, girls had higher body shame and body surveillance than boys. Structural equation modelling supported the proposed model in both boys and girls. The findings suggest processes that may contribute to body dissatisfaction.