A test and extension of objectification theory as it predicts disordered eating: Does women's age matter?

2009 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey L. Augustus-Horvath ◽  
Tracy L. Tylka
Keyword(s):  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Objectification Theory

A Systematic Literature Review Exploring Objectification and Motherhood

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-538
Author(s):  
Olivia Donati Beech ◽  
Leah Kaufmann ◽  
Joel Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Fear Of Childbirth ◽  
Healthy Relationships ◽  
Generational Effects ◽  
Self Objectification

Objectification theory provides a theoretical framework for understanding how socialization and experiences of objectification can lead women to place excessive value on their appearance—a process known as self-objectification. Despite the number of women that are mothers, the application of objectification theory to motherhood has been relatively limited. This review synthesizes the available research exploring objectification during motherhood. We conducted a systematic search for published and unpublished articles that quantitatively examined the objectification of, or self-objectification during, motherhood across five databases in March 2019. The search yielded 23 studies across 20 articles, which in combination revealed strong evidence of societal objectification of mothers and self-objectification by mothers. Effects were found for pregnant and postpartum women, in both community and university samples of mothers. Outcomes included more body shame, concerns about the negative impact of breastfeeding, barriers to breastfeeding, fear of childbirth, disordered eating, and greater appearance concerns in mothers, and sexualized behaviors and body surveillance for their children. Some evidence indicated that self-objectifying may be protective for mothers in certain situations, but it was mostly associated with harmful consequences. Finally, some evidence suggested that there may be age and generational effects of objectification, which may impact all women, including mothers. We hope these findings highlight the benefits for women to engage in healthy relationships with their bodies and to consider the functionality of their body as it changes in preparation for entering motherhood.

scholarly journals Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating in Androphilic and Gynephilic Men and Women

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Antfolk ◽  
Monica Ålgars ◽  
Linn Holmgård ◽  
Pekka Santtila
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Dissatisfaction ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Sexual Competition ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Stress Theory

According to the theory of intra-sexual competition for mates, androphilic individuals (i.e., sexually interested in men) are expected to emphasize their physical appearance, and be less satisfied with their bodies, compared to gynephilic individuals (i.e., sexually interested in women). To test this theory against objectification theory and minority stress theory of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, we measured body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and body mass index (BMI) in both androphilic and gynephilic men and women in a large population-based sample (N = 8,007). Compared to gynephilic men, androphilic men were more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies and display disordered eating. Gynephilic women were more dissatisfied with their bodies compared to androphilic women. Women were, on average, also more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies and display disordered eating compared to men. Theoretical implications of the findings were discussed.

Testing objectification theory with Chinese undergraduate women and men

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Zheng ◽  
Qingqing Sun
Keyword(s):  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Depressed Mood ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Body Surveillance ◽  
Undergraduate Women ◽  
Appearance Anxiety

We tested the applicability of objectification theory to the prediction of disordered eating and depressed mood among Chinese undergraduate students. Participants (N = 430) completed measures of body surveillance, body shame, appearance anxiety, level of internal awareness, flow, disordered eating, and depressed mood. Results of structural equation modeling revealed the model of objectification theory provided a poor fit to the data for both genders, but 2 exploratory models with good fit were generated after subsequent modification to the model. For women, body shame and appearance anxiety mediated the relationships among body surveillance, disordered eating, and depressed mood. Furthermore, body surveillance indirectly influenced women's level of internal awareness and flow via body shame and appearance anxiety, which led to disordered eating and depressed mood. This pattern of relationships was similar for men, except for flow, which was not related to the outcome variables. We concluded that objectification theory is applicable to women and men in China.

Disordered eating among Asian American college women: A racially expanded model of objectification theory.

2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Lan Cheng ◽  
Alisia G. T. T. Tran ◽  
Elisa R. Miyake ◽  
Helen Youngju Kim
Keyword(s):  
College Women ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Asian American ◽  
Objectification Theory

Objectification Theory as It Relates to Disordered Eating Among College Women

Sex Roles ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 51 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 719-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy L. Tylka ◽  
Melanie S. Hill
Keyword(s):  
College Women ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Objectification Theory

An Inhospitable World: Exploring a Model of Objectification Theory With Trans Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Comiskey ◽  
Mike C. Parent ◽  
Elliot A. Tebbe
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
The United States ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Theory Model ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Body Surveillance ◽  
Cultural Standards ◽  
Trans Women ◽  
Silicone Injections

In this study, we investigated key tenets of objectification theory, a prominent model of body image disturbance, as it relates to trans women’s disordered eating and intention to obtain silicone injections—a specific health risk for this population. We also incorporated appearance congruence, or the degree to which an individual personally feels that their gender expression matches their gender identity, into the objectification theory model. Results of a structural equation model using data from a sample of 173 trans women from the United States indicated that the basic objectification theory model held among this sample and that appearance congruence was associated negatively with body surveillance. However, appearance congruence did not have significant direct or indirect links (via body surveillance and body shame) with disordered eating or intention to obtain silicone injections. Thus, disordered eating and intention to obtain silicone injections are potential negative outcomes of the process of objectification among trans women, and appearance congruence does not appear to be uniquely linked to health risks associated with internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness, body surveillance, and body shame. Our findings support the application of the tenets of objectification theory with trans women as they apply to disordered eating and intention to obtain silicone injections and also indicate the need to identify other positive influences on trans women’s body image to counteract internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness.

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