Although Filipinos are becoming one of the largest Asian groups in the U.S there is limited research regarding mental health challenges Filipino women experience specifically regarding body satisfaction and self-image. The goal of this explorative qualitative study was to explore the relationship between objectified images of women in the media and the reported levels of body dissatisfaction in a sample of 8 American-born Filipino women and 8 Philippine-born Filipino women. Objectification theory was used to guide this research and levels of sociocultural influences, body satisfaction, and body consciousness were explored through a qualitative research design using statements from the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3, the Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults, and the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale. Participants were interviewed individually and the data were coded in order to determine patterns and themes. Results revealed that the Philippine-born participants relied more on images in the media than the American-born participants of the study in relation to what is attractive and fashionable. However as a whole, the data found that the majority of the participating women felt comfortable with their bodies and physical appearance. The results of this study could help create greater awareness of the issues that Filipino American women deal with in relation to their bodies and self-image through the development of initiatives to treat Filipino American women who may be suffering from mental health issues due to objectification as culturally Filipinos typically do not seek psychological intervention. If programs could be designed specifically for Filipinos targeting issues with body satisfaction, fewer Filipinos may be affected by poor body-image.

[pt] Esta pesquisa versa sobre o maior entre os nascidos de mulheres, com base no texto de Mt 11,2-15. Partindo desse princípio, a pesquisa aborda sobre João, o Batista, no testemunho dado por Jesus aos discípulos que estavam à sua volta. É bem verdade que a vida de João, o Batista, é um enigma a ser desvendado, tendo em vista as poucas informações oferecidas a respeito de sua vida, com exceção daquelas que são encontradas em textos do Novo Testamento (Evangelhos e Atos dos Apóstolos) e em textos extrabíblicos. Ao pesquisar essa perícope, encontramos um paralelo em Lc 7,18-28, com suas semelhanças e diferenças, sobre as quais faremos menção aqui em nosso estudo e abordagem. Nesse sentido, esse trabalho faz uma análise do texto base aqui pesquisado, recorrendo ao contexto histórico de Mateus, passando pela comunidade mateana, onde o Evangelho foi desenvolvido e o testemunho de Jesus foi identificado a João, o Batista. Em outro momento, faremos um status quaestionis a respeito do tema João, o Batista, o maior entre os nascidos de mulheres em Mt 11,2-15 com as contribuições necessárias de alguns autores. Por fim, faremos uma exegese da perícope de Mt 11,2-15, seguindo os critérios do Método Histórico-Crítico e da Análise Retórica Bíblica, para alcançarmos o sentido próprio do texto direcionando para a compreensão do tema: João, o Batista, o maior entre os nascidos de mulheres: Uma análise exegética de Mt 11,2-15. / [en] This research deals with the greatest among women born based on the text of Mt 11,2-15. Based on this principle, the research addresses John the Baptist s testimony given by Jesus to the disciples around him. It is quite true that the life of John the Baptist is a riddle to be unraveled, given the little information offered about his life, except for that found in New Testament texts (Gospels and Acts of the Apostles). and in extrabiblical texts. In researching this pericope, we find a parallel in Luke 7,18-28, with its similarities and differences, which we will mention here in our study and approach. In this sense, this work makes an analysis of the base text researched here, using the historical context of Matthew, passing through the Matean community, where the Gospel was developed, and the testimony of Jesus was identified to John the Baptist. In another moment, we will make a status quaestionis on the theme John the Baptist, the greatest among the born of women in Mt 11,2-15 with the necessary contributions of some authors. Finally, we will make an exegesis of the pericope of Mt 11,2-15, following the criteria of the Historical-Critical Method and Biblical Rhetorical Analysis, in order to reach the proper meaning of the text, directing to the understanding of the theme: “John the Baptist, the greatest among women born: An exegetical analysis of Mt 11,2-15.