Materialism Predicts Young Chinese Women’s Self-Objectification and Body Surveillance

Materialism and Problematic Social Network Sites Use Among Chinese Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem and Self-Control

Prior studies have ascertained some risk factors of problematic social network sites use (PSNSU). Nevertheless, few research has examined the potential impact of materialism on PSNSU, as well as underlying mechanisms between this relationship. The present study investigated whether materialism would be linked with adolescents' PSNSU and whether self-esteem and self-control would mediate them. A sample of 1238 Chinese adolescents (53.6% females) completed measurements regarding demographics, materialism, PSNSU, self-esteem, and self-control. After controlling for gender and age, the results indicated that: (a) materialism was positively correlated with PSNSU; (b) materialism can indirectly affect PSNSU through the mediating effects of self-control; and (c) materialism can indirectly affect PSNSU through the sequential mediating role of self-esteem and self-control. These findings not only provide a new perspective for the cultivation of adolescents' values, but also contribute an important driving force for the prevention and intervention of adolescents' PSNSU in the information technology era.

Bifactor Modelling, Reliability, and Validity of the Material Values Scale in Chinese Youth

The present study validated the bifactor model of the Material Values Scale (MVS) and examined the association between materialism and subjective well-being (SWB). Study 1 utilized a material values questionnaire that 1673 college students completed. Confirmatory factor analysis results indicated that the bifactor model of the MVS had a better fit than other models. Likewise, the findings were replicated in Study 2 using a larger sample size (N = 2627). Through structural equation modeling, only the general and specific factors of success were found to be negative predictors of SWB. Our study both provides a methodological reference for measuring the MVS and compensates for the limitations of MVS measurement results.

The relationship between body dissatisfaction, lifestyle, and nutritional status among university students in Southern China

BACKGROUND

In recent years, obesity in early adulthood has become an urgent global public health concern. Body dissatisfaction may have adverse effects on lifestyle habits, leading to obesity. However, research on nutritional status and body dissatisfaction among Chinese young adults is still insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between body dissatisfaction, dietary habits, physical activity, and nutritional status among university students. In addition, we explored the feasibility of improving university students' nutritional status by improving the levels of body dissatisfaction.

METHODS

This study was conducted in Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, China, at a randomly selected university. All 1900 undergraduate students volunteered to participate and signed the consent form. Students were required to completed anthropometric measurements and three questionnaires, which included the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PARS-3), Chinese version of the Dutch Dietary Behavior Questionnaire (C-DEBQ), and Body Dissatisfaction. Of these, 1714 students (age: 18-24 years; men: 933, women: 781) with complete and valid data were included.

RESULTS

Higher obesity levels were observed in men compared to women (p<0.01). Meanwhile, body dissatisfaction was higher in women compared to men (p<0.01). Overeating and insufficient physical activity were more problematic in women compared to in men (p<0.01). Multiple regression analyses were conducted separately, with BMI and body dissatisfaction as the dependent variables. Body dissatisfaction (β=0.72, p<0.01), muscle mass (β=0.33, p<0.01), emotional eating score (β=0.05, p<0.01), sex (β=-0.05, p<0.05) and physical activity (β=-0.04, p<0.05) score were significant predictors of obesity. Furthermore, Muscle mass (β=0.61, p<0.01), sex (β=0.54, p<0.01), restrained eating score (β=0.25, p<0.01), physical activity score (β=-0.20, p<0.01) and emotional eating score (β=0.08, p<0.01) were significant predictors of body dissatisfaction.

CONCLUSION

The data presented in this study highlight the impact of university students' body dissatisfaction in China on physical activity deficiency and overeating, discovering that reducing body dissatisfaction has great potential for preventing obesity.

Relationship between body dissatisfaction, insufficient physical activity, and disordered eating behaviors among university students in southern China

Background

With an increasing incidence of obesity, the relationship between obesity and body image has become a hot research topic worldwide. From high school to university, young people experience changes in their social environment. University students have a high incidence of eating disorders and insufficient physical activity. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between body dissatisfaction, insufficient physical activity, and disordered eating behaviors among university students in southern China.

Methods

In total, 1296 university students aged 18–23 years were recruited for this study. The participants completed anthropometric measurements, the Physical Activity Rating scale-3 (PARS-3), and the Chinese-Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (C-DEBQ). The ideal weight and silhouette were reported by university students using a questionnaire.

Results

Compared with men, young women had a higher level of body dissatisfaction. For men, body mass index (BMI; β = 0.76, P <  0.01), physical activity score (β = − 0.11, P <  0.01), and restrained eating score (β = 0.10, P <  0.01) were the significant factors predictive of body dissatisfaction. For women, BMI (β = 0.57, P <  0.01), muscle mass (β = 0.12, P <  0.01), physical activity score (β = − 0.11, P <  0.01), and restrained eating score (β = 0.09, P <  0.01) were the significant factors predictive of body dissatisfaction.

Conclusions

University students with high body dissatisfaction had lower physical activity scores and higher restrained eating scores. The data presented here highlight the impact of university students’ body dissatisfaction on physical activity deficiency and disordered eating behaviors in China.

Objectification and ambiguity of body image in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A mixed-method study

BACKGROUND

The manifestations of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), including acne, hirsutism, obesity, uncertain fertility, etc., can make women anxious, worried, or even depressed with their appearance and body. However, little relevant research has been conducted in the Chinese context. This mixed-method study aimed to understand how women with PCOS in China perceive their bodies and to examine the association between body image and depression.

METHODS

First, 101 PCOS patients participated in a survey using the Body Surveillance subscale of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale, the Short-form Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, the Appearance Anxiety Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II, which measured participants' self-objectification, illness ambiguity, appearance anxiety, and depression, respectively. Second, fifteen women joined face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews, investigating their illness ambiguity, objectified experience, and behaviors to pursue beauty.

RESULTS

Results indicated a high level of self-objectification, illness ambiguity, appearance anxiety, and depression among women with PCOS in China and supported the significant associations among the outcomes. Qualitative findings presented a body image of the precarious body, indiscernible identity, and distraught mind.

LIMITATIONS

A convenient sampling method was used. The generalization of the study results needs further validation. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to clarify the causal relationships among outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presented women's body image with PCOS and found the negative impact of body image on their depression levels. This study was of both theoretical and practical significance. Appropriate mind-body therapies were suggested for them.

Body image and acceptance of cosmetic surgery in China and the Netherlands: A qualitative study on cultural differences and similarities

There is an established relationship between acceptance of cosmetic surgery and psychological factors, including body image. However, qualitative research among diverse cultural groups is needed to provide a more fine-grained understanding of the influences on women's attitudes towards cosmetic surgery. In this study, 20 Chinese and 20 Dutch women aged 18-50 years (M_Chinese = 34.20; M_Dutch = 34.70) participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. We identified three themes that captured the factors that women perceived to foster favorable attitudes towards cosmetic surgery: (a) sociocultural pressures (e.g., normalization of cosmetic surgery, appearance-focused peers); (b) intrapersonal characteristics (e.g., beauty-ideal internalization, social comparison); and (c) benefits of beauty (e.g., attracting men, socioeconomic benefits). Conversely, two themes captured the factors perceived to reduce favorable attitudes towards cosmetic surgery: (a) intrapersonal characteristics (e.g., unconditional body acceptance, self-confidence); and (b) external considerations (e.g., health risks, financial costs). Overall, Chinese and Dutch participants shared many similarities in their opinions about what might affect cosmetic surgery consideration. The most striking cross-cultural differences concerned perceived socioeconomic benefits of beauty (mainly Chinese women) and women's conceptualization of body appreciation. This study may enable a more comprehensive understanding about the factors influencing Chinese and Dutch women's attitudes towards cosmetic surgery, and the nuances in these relationships across these cultures.

The role of beauty as currency belief in acceptance of cosmetic surgery and career aspirations among Chinese young women

The current study tested the "beauty as currency" hypothesis in the framework of Objectification theory with a sample of Chinese young women. Four hundred and four college women completed a pencil-and-paper questionnaire. We hypothesized that beauty as currency would be associated with acceptance of cosmetic surgery and career aspirations through the serial meditation of self-objectification and body surveillance. The results indicated that self-objectification and body surveillance mediated the relation between women's belief in beauty as currency and acceptance of cosmetic surgery. Body surveillance mediated the relationship between beauty as currency and career aspirations. These findings provide further evidence for the "beauty as currency" hypothesis, suggesting the feminine beauty ideology may lead to women's higher acceptance of cosmetic surgery and lower career aspirations via the self-objectifying process. Our study provides some implications for understanding the effect of women's ideologies on gender system change.

Examining the Links Between Beauty Ideals Internalization, the Objectification of Women, and Ambivalent Sexism Among Chinese Women: The Effects of Sexual Orientation

The widespread propagation of beauty ideals has made their influence inescapable for women worldwide. Numerous studies have suggested the negative consequences of the internalization of beauty ideals. However, researchers have mostly focused on Western cultures, with only a few studies addressing China. Given that Chinese traditional Confucian values emphasize more reproduction and family duties of women, women suffer more pressures in China. However, not all women experience and respond to cultural practices in the same way. The present study aimed to examine the mechanism underlying the link between the internalization of beauty ideals and ambivalent sexism and the differences in this link among subgroups of Chinese women. Data were collected from a sample of 293 (146 heterosexual women, 147 sexual minority women). The results showed that the associations of the internalization of beauty ideals with hostile sexism and benevolent sexism were mediated by the objectification of women. Furthermore, the link between the internalization of beauty ideals and the objectification of women depended on women's sexual orientation. More specifically, for lesbian and bisexual women but not heterosexual women, the internalization of beauty ideals was positively associated with the objectification of women. The present study addressed a major gap by examining how and for whom the internalization of beauty ideals was associated with increased hostile sexism and benevolent sexism among Chinese women. Sociocultural factors and implications are discussed.

Understanding cosmetic surgery consideration in Chinese adolescent girls: Contributions of materialism and sexual objectification

Based on objectification theory and the consumer culture impact model, this study examined psychological predictors of cosmetic surgery consideration in 314 Chinese adolescent girls. Path analyses revealed several findings. First, both interpersonal sexual objectification and materialism contributed to internalized appearance ideals, which in turn related to body surveillance, body shame, and facial appearance concerns. Second, the association between materialism and internalized appearance ideals was independent of the association between materialism and interpersonal sexual objectification. Third, internalized appearance ideals were linked to cosmetic surgery consideration via body surveillance and facial appearance concerns. Fourth, while internalized appearance ideals were associated with body shame, body shame did not mediate its association with cosmetic surgery consideration. Fifth, instead of body shame, facial appearance concerns mediated that link between body surveillance and cosmetic surgery consideration as well as the link between internalized appearance ideals and cosmetic surgery consideration. This study provides support to the basic tenets of objectification theory and the consumer culture impact model as applied to Chinese adolescent girls' willingness to consider cosmetic surgery. It suggests that using a measure that is more sensitive to salient cultural concerns is important when attempting to understand body image issues in different cultural contexts.

Materialism, Body Surveillance, Body Shame, and Body Dissatisfaction: Testing a Mediational Model

The present study aimed to examine the mechanisms underlying the links between materialism and body dissatisfaction. A sample of 583 Chinese undergraduate women completed a questionnaire measuring materialism, body surveillance, body shame, and body dissatisfaction. Correlational analysis showed that materialism, body surveillance, and body shame were significantly positively correlated with body dissatisfaction. The results of path analyses revealed that higher materialism predicted more body dissatisfaction, albeit indirectly, via higher body surveillance and body shame.

Materialism, Self-Objectification, and Capitalization of Sexual Attractiveness Increase Young Chinese Women's Willingness to Consider Cosmetic Surgery

Research reveals significant positive associations between materialism and cosmetic surgery consideration, yet little is known about why this relationship exists. To address this question, the present study examined potential mediators of the links between materialism and cosmetic surgery consideration. A sample of 336 Chinese undergraduate women completed measures of materialism, self-objectification, capitalization of sexual attractiveness, and cosmetic surgery consideration. Correlational analysis showed that materialism, self-objectification, and capitalization of sexual attractiveness were significantly positively correlated with cosmetic surgery consideration. The results of path analyses revealed that higher materialism predicted more willingness to consider cosmetic surgery, both directly and indirectly via higher self-objectification and capitalization of sexual attractiveness.

Exploring the relationship between appearance-contingent self-worth and self-esteem: The roles of self-objectification and appearance anxiety

Previous work has shown that both an appearance-contingent self-worth (i.e., staking one's overall self-evaluation on one's physical appearance) and self-objectification are associated with higher appearance anxiety and lower self-esteem among women. Although prior evidence separately links both appearance-contingent self-worth and self-objectification to these negative outcomes, no work has examined the mediating processes that may underlie this relationship. With the current project, we examined the relationship between appearance-contingent self-worth and self-objectification, and the degree to which this relationship is associated with higher appearance anxiety and lower overall self-esteem. We hypothesized that appearance-contingent self-worth would be positively associated with self-objectification; in turn, we expected self-objectification to be related to higher appearance anxiety, and ultimately, lower self-esteem. Across two studies, one cross-sectional (N=208) and one short-term longitudinal (N=191), we found compelling support for this hypothesis. These findings have practical and theoretical significance for both the self-objectification and contingent self-worth literatures.

Self-Objectification and Personal Values. An Exploratory Study

Self-objectification occurs when individuals treat themselves as objects to be viewed and evaluated based upon appearance. Literature has largely elucidated links between self-objectification and damaging outcomes in both men and women. The purpose of the present study was to extend past research on the antecedents of self-objectification. We were interested in the role played by specific ideological components, i.e., higher order personal values (self-enhancement, conservation, self-transcendence, and openness to change), in influencing the degree to which individuals internalize the objectifying perspective of the Western cultural milieu, i.e., self-objectify. Undergraduate participants (N = 371, 76.8% women) completed measures of self-objectification (i.e., body surveillance and body shame), and endorsement of higher order values. Regression analyses demonstrated that self-enhancement is linked to higher self-objectification in both men and women, whereas conservation is related only to women’s body surveillance. Self-transcendence seemed to act as a buffer against men’s body surveillance, whereas openness to change resulted as a buffer against women’s body surveillance. Implications are discusses.