Background: Objectification theory considers how gender and culture intersect to position women at a greater risk of developing eating disorders, depression, and sexual dysfunction. Self-objectification is defined as the internalization of a third person perspective to view one’s own body, which then leads to mental health consequences of anxiety, body shame, insensitivity to internal drives, and decreased peak motivational states. Body surveillance, the habitual and constant monitoring of the body, denotes the behavioral manifestation of self-objectification. Altogether, the accumulation of objectifying experiences and mental health consequences heighten women’s risks of developing the aforementioned mental disorders. Rationale: Extant experimental and correlational research supports objectification theory, in particular regarding eating disorders and depression. Research into the effects of social media on mental health is a relatively new frontier, thus gaps exist in the current body of literature. This study endeavored to contribute to the existing research base by employing qualitative methods to impart women’s personal descriptions of the experience of self-objectification and its proposed consequences in relation to social media use. Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the study was to explore how women’s social media consumption contributes to self-objectification, body surveillance, appearance comparison, body shame, and appearance-based self-worth. Also, the study sought to understand if women perceived themselves differently when they were not using social media platforms. Methods: Fifteen women completed the Social Media Use and Activities Questionnaire and the in-depth, semi-structured interview. The questionnaire assessed women’s active social media accounts, frequency of social media use, and social media behaviors. The interview protocol contained questions designed to extract explanations of constructs from objectification theory such as self-objectification, body surveillance, and body shame. A multilevel thematic data analysis was performed. Results: All of the individuals interviewed were heavy social media users based on the frequency of use (66.7% visit platforms several times daily), as well as the number of accounts operated (minimum of 4). Indicative of self-objectification and body surveillance, women emphasized the importance of how their physical appearance and body attributes are portrayed on social media sites. Also consistent with the definition of self-objectification, women expressed concerns about perceptions, reactions, and disapproval from others on social media regarding their physical appearance. Three additional modalities of body surveillance surfaced including: (1) using filters to enhance or modify the appearance of skin in pictures; (2) posing to accentuate facial features, hairstyles, and body attributes; and (3) women’s personal criteria regarding uploading and “tagging” of appearance-based pictures shared on social media. Findings strongly suggest women compare their physical appearances, features, and bodies to other women. Beauty ideals are determined by evaluating the number of individuals associated with other women’s social media accounts, as well as the distribution of ‘likes’ and positive comments written by people on their appearance-focused content. Five women recollected comparing their appearances and bodies to others, engaging in body surveillance, and feeling as if their own body and appearance failed to comply with beauty ideals, which then led to the experience of feeling body shame. Low self-esteem, depression, disordered eating, compulsive exercise, or bulimia nervosa were cited as reasons for deletion, temporary deactivation, or taking breaks from social media. Refraining from using social media was associated with feeling less pressured, engaging in less comparisons overall, being more mindful of the present moment, and relaxing standards for personal appearances. Conclusions: This study generated contextually rich, in-depth descriptions which illustrated women’s experiences with self-objectification, body surveillance, appearance comparisons, body shame, and appearance-based self-worth in the virtual world of social media. Based on results from this study, objectification theory is clearly applicable to women’s social media use and there is definitive need for future research to address the effects of social media consumption on mental health, particularly among younger generations. Meanwhile, primary prevention initiatives should educate people about the process of self-objectification and its associated consequences, as well as teach resistance strategies. Learning how to deconstruct media content, critically analyze others' online portrayals, and build self-esteem and self-worth may impede self-objectification and its negative mental health effects. Furthermore, public health campaigns should build upon the momentum of the body positivity movement. Known to young women as “BoPo,” this movement encourages women to see themselves as more than their bodies, inspires self-acceptance, and empowers them to be unapologetic and celebrate their body in its current form without adhering to societal beauty norms. These messages are instrumental to dismantling beauty ideals, exhibiting inclusivity of all body types, and mitigating the effects of sexual objectification of the female body.

The eating disorder literature has long suggested that sociocultural experiences specific to women influence development of bulimic pathology; however, models have differed on the type of experiences that are important and what other variables interact with these experiences to lead to eating pathology. Broader sociocultural theory and objectification theory represent two such differing models, and more recently Moradi hypothesized that integrating elements from both models would provide a better picture of eating disorder development. The present study, therefore, sought to compare these three different models of bulimic pathology development to determine which one provides the best explanation for bulimic outcomes. The sample consisted of 682 undergraduate women between the ages of 18 and 24, recruited from a large southwestern university. Data were collected on-line using a series of questionnaires to measure the constructs of interest and analyzed using structural equation modeling. All three models fit the data well and explained approximately 50% of bulimic outcomes; however, the model based on Moradi’s integrated model provided the most information about the relationships between constructs within the model. The development of bulimic symptomatology appears best explained by a model that focuses on the sociocultural experience of pressures about weight and body size, but also integrates aspects of objectification theory as well. Future research, however, is needed to determine if sexually objectifying experiences, if measured differently, affect women’s development of eating pathology along with pressures.

The display of the male body has recently become a common phenomenon in Western culture. The objectification of men is a new theoretical concept that originates from the more familiar concept of the perceived objectification, observation and evaluation of the female body (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). McKinley (as cited in Soban, 2006) terms this concept Objectified Body Consciousness (OBC). Past studies confirm that the concept of OBC may also be successfully applied to males (Grieve & Helmick, 2008; Tiggemann & Kuring, 2004), especially in relation to current cultural expectations for the male body (Grieve & Helmick, 2008; Soban, 2006). At an extreme level internalisation of the mesomorphic body shape as body ideal may lead to a Drive for Muscularity (DM; Grieve, 2007). Grieve and Helmick (2008) indicate that males who score high on objectification measures show higher incidences of DM. According to the socio–environmental theories of Grieve (2007) and McCabe and Ricciardelli (2004) males experience significant social pressures to achieve the muscular ideal. There is a scarcity of literature concerning body–image concerns and the muscular ideal within the South African male undergraduate population. This research was therefore exploratory in nature and aimed to determine whether undergraduate men with high levels of OBC differ significantly in DM from undergraduate men with low levels of OBC. In addition, the study investigated the existence of a correlation between OBC and DM and whether undergraduate men differ in DM in accordance with exposure to certain socio–environmental factors. The quantitative study employed a survey design (Mouton, 2001) and used the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS; McKinley & Hyde, 1996) and the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS; McCreary & Sasse, 2000). A convenience sample of 278 undergraduate males (mean age = 19 years) was selected based on availability and readiness to partake in the study (Field, 2005). Participants were all males aged between 18 and 20 and residing on the North–West University Potchefstroom Campus. Results indicate that undergraduate men with either elevated or low levels of OBC do not differ in terms of their DM. No correlation exists between OBC and DM. A group of undergraduate men who read fitness and health–related magazines, participate in sport, exercise regularly and have used steroids and supplements in the past year was identified. This group presented with high incidences of Muscle Development Behaviour suggesting that they may be at risk of internalising an attitude of increasing muscularity that may result in DM. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The display of the male body has recently become a common phenomenon in Western culture. The objectification of men is a new theoretical concept that originates from the more familiar concept of the perceived objectification, observation and evaluation of the female body (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). McKinley (as cited in Soban, 2006) terms this concept Objectified Body Consciousness (OBC). Past studies confirm that the concept of OBC may also be successfully applied to males (Grieve & Helmick, 2008; Tiggemann & Kuring, 2004), especially in relation to current cultural expectations for the male body (Grieve & Helmick, 2008; Soban, 2006). At an extreme level internalisation of the mesomorphic body shape as body ideal may lead to a Drive for Muscularity (DM; Grieve, 2007). Grieve and Helmick (2008) indicate that males who score high on objectification measures show higher incidences of DM. According to the socio–environmental theories of Grieve (2007) and McCabe and Ricciardelli (2004) males experience significant social pressures to achieve the muscular ideal. There is a scarcity of literature concerning body–image concerns and the muscular ideal within the South African male undergraduate population. This research was therefore exploratory in nature and aimed to determine whether undergraduate men with high levels of OBC differ significantly in DM from undergraduate men with low levels of OBC. In addition, the study investigated the existence of a correlation between OBC and DM and whether undergraduate men differ in DM in accordance with exposure to certain socio–environmental factors. The quantitative study employed a survey design (Mouton, 2001) and used the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS; McKinley & Hyde, 1996) and the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS; McCreary & Sasse, 2000). A convenience sample of 278 undergraduate males (mean age = 19 years) was selected based on availability and readiness to partake in the study (Field, 2005). Participants were all males aged between 18 and 20 and residing on the North–West University Potchefstroom Campus. Results indicate that undergraduate men with either elevated or low levels of OBC do not differ in terms of their DM. No correlation exists between OBC and DM. A group of undergraduate men who read fitness and health–related magazines, participate in sport, exercise regularly and have used steroids and supplements in the past year was identified. This group presented with high incidences of Muscle Development Behaviour suggesting that they may be at risk of internalising an attitude of increasing muscularity that may result in DM. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

On a routine and daily basis, women are exposed to sexually objectifying experiences, which result in a number of harmful psychosocial outcomes (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). Five-hundred and forty-sex women attending a large, Southeastern university participated in this study that investigated a conceptual model of how childhood sexual abuse (CSA) contributes to sexual risk behaviors (SRBs) via self-objectification (S0). In order to assess the causal relationships among variables, measured variable path analyses were conducted in order to test two theoretical models. The following instruments were used in this investigation: the Sexual Abuse Subscale of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (a measure assessing experiences of childhood sexual abuse [Bernstein, Stein, Newcomb, Walker, Pogge, Ahluvia et al., 2003]); the Body Surveillance Subscale of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (a measure assessing self-objectification [McKinley & Hyde, 1996]); the Body Shame Subscale of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (a measure assessing body shame [McKinley & Hyde, 1996]); the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (assesses alexithymic symptoms, or difficulty identifying, describing, and expressing one’s emotions [Bagby, Parker, & Taylor, 1994]), the Contraceptive Self-Efficacy Scale (assesses overall sexual self-efficacy, such as the ability to insist upon sexual protection [Levinson, 1986]), and the Sexual Risk Survey (assesses risky sexual practices [Turkchik & Garske, 2009]). Results revealed that the data fit the second model better than the first. Specifically, data revealed that CSA directly predicted SRBs and was not mediated via SO, but was partially mediated by alexithymia and body shame. That is, CSA predicted increased alexithymia and body shame. Increased alexithymia predicted SRBs, whereas body shame decreased SRBs. Results also revealed that alexithymia and body shame mediated the relationship between SO and SRBs. Specifically, self-objectification led to increased alexithymia and body shame, and alexithymia increased SRBs while body shame decreased SRBs. Last, results revealed that body shame fully mediated the relationship between both CSA and SO and sexual self-efficacy. Pathways were significant at the p < .05 level.

Studiens syfte är att undersöka hur personer med ätstörning upplever att sjukdomen påverkar sexualiteten samt undersöka vilka erfarenheter de har av samtal om sexuell hälsa och välbefinnande inom ätstörningsvården. Tidigare forskning har visat på sambandet mellan kroppsuppfattning, kroppsmissnöje, kroppsskam och ätstörningar och även sett samband mellan dessa och sexuella dysfunktioner. Forskningen avseende ätstörningar och sexuella svårigheter är något bristfällig, även om det på senare år kommit studier som lyfter ämnet, och i dessa har man sett att individer som har ätstörningar också rapporterar högre vad gäller sexuella svårigheter. Större delen av de studier som gjorts är kvantitativa och i en internationell kontext. Många med ätstörningar kommer i kontakt med hälso- och sjukvården och tidigare forskning har visat att samtal om sexualitet inom en vårdkontext generellt sett är otillräckligt. Studien har en fenomenologisk ansats men även socialkonstruktivistisk och genomförts med en kvalitativ metod bestående av elva halvstrukturerade intervjuer och materialet har analyserats utifrån en reflexiv tematisk analys. Resultaten har analyserats med hjälp av begreppen livsvärld, spegeljag, stigma, skam och skamkompassen för att förstå och visa på samband i kommande analys. Resultatanalysen bygger på de fyra teman: Livsvärlden - en inblick, I-världen-varo med en ätstörning, En hemlös värld samt Vägen mot en tillfredsställande sexualitet - finns den och på vem ligger ansvaret? Resultaten visar att en ätstörning har en biopsykosocial påverkan på sexualiteten och har för många blivit ett hinder vad gäller utlevnad av denna. Resultaten visar även på ett uttryckt behov av sexologiska och relationella samtal inom hälso- och sjukvården för att närma sig en tillfredsställande sexualitet med allt vad det innebär. / The aim of the study is to investigate adults' experiences of how an eating disorder affects their sexuality and to investigate what experiences they have of conversations about sexual health and well-being within eating disorder healthcare services. Previous research has shown the connection between body image, body dissatisfaction, body shame and eating disorders and also seen a correlation between these and sexual dysfunctions. The research regarding eating disorders and sexual difficulties is somewhat lacking, although in recent years there have been studies that highlight the subject, and in these it has been stated that individuals who have an eating disorder also report higher levels of sexual difficulties. Most of existing studies that have been done are quantitative and in an international context. Many people with eating disorders come into contact with healthcare systems and previous research has shown that talking about sexuality within a healthcare context is generally insufficient. This study has a phenomenological but also social constructivist approach. It was conducted with a qualitative method consisting of eleven semi-structured interviews and has been analyzed through a reflexive thematic analysis. The results have been analyzed using the concepts of lifeworld, mirror self, stigma, shame and the compass of shame to understand and show connections in future analysis. The result analysis is based on the four themes: The world of life - an insight, Being-in-the-world with an eating disorder, A homeless world and The road to a satisfying sexuality - does it exist and who is responsible? The results show that an eating disorder has a biopsychosocial impact on sexuality and has for many become an obstacle in terms of experiencing it. The results also show an explicit need for sexological and relational conversations within the healthcare system in order to approach a satisfactory sexuality with all that it entails.

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Undersökningen som är en korrelationsstudie från ett sociokulturellt perspektiv vände sig till kvinnor i en normalpopulation. Deltagarna var mellan 19 och 59 år. Ett syfte var att undersöka samband mellan kroppsmissnöje, skam och känslor, attityder och beteenden kopplade till ätande. Kroppsmissnöje konceptualiserades och mättes som missnöje med kroppsform. Skam konceptualiserades och mättes som body shame (skam över den egna kroppen). Enligt feministiska objektifieringsteorier lärs flickor tidigt att se sin egen kropp från en utomstående observatörs perspektiv. En del av de flickor och unga kvinnor som i kulturen erfar sexuell objektifiering internaliserar normer som objektifierar deras kroppar. Detta förutsätts kunna leda till skamkänslor och ätproblem. Eftersom kroppsnormerna är orealistiska är de omöjliga att mot-svara och misslyckandet med detta genererar ytterligare skamkänslor. Menopausen kan för många individer innebära mindre exponering för sexuell objektifiering varför skamkänslor kan antas minska. Ett ytterligare syfte var därför att undersöka ålders samband med skam. Resultatet indikerar att såväl kroppsmissnöje som skam är riskfaktorer för utvecklandet av attityder och beteenden kopplade till ätproblem. Kroppsmissnöje korrelerade starkt positivt med skam och det förelåg ett svagt negativt samband mellan ålder och skam.