Moving beyond the binary with disordered eating research: A test and extension of objectification theory with bisexual women.

2014 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie E. Brewster ◽  
Brandon L. Velez ◽  
Jessica Esposito ◽  
Stephanie Wong ◽  
Elizabeth Geiger ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
pp. 107780122096390
Author(s):  
Samantha C. Holmes ◽  
Alexis M. DaFonseca ◽  
Dawn M. Johnson

The current study (a) ascertained whether there is a relationship between sexual victimization (SV) and disordered eating (DE) among bisexual women, (b) assessed whether objectification theory explains the relationship, and (c) tested for group differences between bisexual and heterosexual women on SV, DE, and other objectification theory variables. Utilizing a sample of 164 undergraduate bisexual women, there was a significant positive relationship between SV and DE that was serially mediated by self-surveillance and body shame. In addition, bisexual participants endorsed more SV, DE, body shame, and interoceptive deficits than a comparison sample of 335 undergraduate heterosexual women. Implications are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-538
Author(s):  
Olivia Donati Beech ◽  
Leah Kaufmann ◽  
Joel Anderson

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 We conducted a systematic search for published and unpublished articles that quantitatively examined the objectification of, or self-objectification during, motherhood across five databases in March 2019.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.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Antfolk ◽  
Monica Ålgars ◽  
Linn Holmgård ◽  
Pekka Santtila

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Zheng ◽  
Qingqing Sun

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Lan Cheng ◽  
Alisia G. T. T. Tran ◽  
Elisa R. Miyake ◽  
Helen Youngju Kim

Sex Roles ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 51 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 719-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy L. Tylka ◽  
Melanie S. Hill

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