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Gillen MM, Rosenbaum DL, Winter VR, Bloomer SA. Hormonal contraceptive use and women's well-being: links with body image, eating behavior, and sleep. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2024; 29:905-916. [PMID: 37220269 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2023.2216468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The goal of the current study was to examine associations between hormonal contraceptive use and indicators of well-being including body image, eating behavior, sleep and energy level. Drawing on a health protection framework, we expected that individuals who use hormonal contraceptives would be more attuned to health and report more positive health attitudes and behaviors on these dimensions. Undergraduate college women (N = 270; M = 19.39 years, SD = 2.43, range 18-39 years) from diverse racial/ethnic and sexual orientation groups completed a survey online. Measures included hormonal contraception use, body image, weight control behavior, breakfast consumption, sleep behavior, and daytime energy level. Nearly 1/3 (30.9%) of the sample reported current hormonal contraceptive use, with most users reporting use of birth control pills (74.7%). Women who used hormonal contraceptives reported significantly higher appearance orientation and body surveillance, lower average energy, more frequent night awakenings, and more naps. Longer duration of hormonal contraceptive use was significantly related to higher body surveillance, and engaging in more unhealthy weight control behavior. Hormonal contraceptive use is not related to indicators of greater well-being. Rather, hormonal contraceptive use is related to greater attention to appearance, lower daytime energy, and some indicators of poorer sleep quality. Clinicians who prescribe hormonal contraceptives should attend to body image, sleep and energy concerns among users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan M Gillen
- Division of Social Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, Abington, PA, USA
| | - Diane L Rosenbaum
- Division of Social Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, Abington, PA, USA
| | | | - Steven A Bloomer
- Division of Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, Abington, PA, USA
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Zhang LL, Dou JH, Sun L, Lu GH. Impact of Gender-Role Attitudes and Mental Health on Hostile Sexism and Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2024:10.1007/s00266-024-04028-8. [PMID: 38740626 DOI: 10.1007/s00266-024-04028-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Each year, tens of thousands of people worldwide choose to undergo cosmetic surgery in order to alter their appearance. In recent years, young people have gradually emerged to comprise the main driving force behind the increasing demand for cosmetic surgery. Previous studies have found that sexism may motivate young people to undergo such surgeries. However, few studies have been conducted to determine if this psychological mechanism influences the acceptance of cosmetic surgery among Chinese university students. METHODS A total of 579 Chinese university students (280 girls and 299 boys, 17-20 years) volunteered to participate in the online survey. They completed a questionnaire containing the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, the Gender-Role Attitudes Questionnaire and the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale. We firstly evaluated the underlying factor structure of the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and exploring pattern of associations between the constructs was analyzed via path analysis. RESULTS According to the findings, hostile sexism was associated with greater levels of acceptance toward cosmetic surgery. Moreover, gender-role attitudes mediated the link between hostile sexism and the acceptance of cosmetic surgery, and this mediation was positively influenced by general mental health. CONCLUSION Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of Chinese university students' attitudes toward cosmetic surgery, hostile sexism may contribute to normalizing traditional gender stereotypes and encourage cosmetic surgery acceptability among Chinese university students. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu-Lin Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jin-Hua Dou
- Office of Student Affairs, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Lin Sun
- School of Psychology, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shan-ting District People's Hospital, Zao-Zhuang, China.
- Management Committee of Shan-ting Economic Development Zone, Zao-Zhuang, China.
| | - Guo-Hua Lu
- School of Psychology, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China.
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Helpman L. On the Stress of Being a Woman: The synergistic contribution of sex as a biological variable and gender as a psychosocial one to risk of stress-related disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 150:105211. [PMID: 37141960 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Stress-related disorders (SRD) disproportionately affect women. Cortisol blunting, a failure to demonstrate a typical rise and fall of cortisol in response to stress, is associated with SRDs and has been found to be more pronounced among women. Cortisol blunting relates to both sex as a biological variable (SABV; e.g., estrogens and their fluctuations, impact on neural circuits) and gender as a psychosocial variable (GAPSV; e.g., discrimination, harassment, gender roles). I suggest a theoretical model linking experience, sex- and gender-related factors, and neuroendocrine substrates of SRD to the heightened risk among women. The model thus bridges multiple gaps in the literature to create a synergistic conceptual framework with which to understand the stress of being a woman. Utilizing such a framework in research may allow identifying targeted, sex-and gender-dependent risk factors, informing psychological treatment, medical advice, educational and community programming, and policy. DATA AVAILABILITY: All references are cited as required, no other data is reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liat Helpman
- Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa.
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Cohen-Louck K, Levy I, Rozmann N. A Model for Predicting Fear of Terrorism through Fear of Crime, Gender, Locus of Control and Coping Strategies. EUROPEAN JOURNAL ON CRIMINAL POLICY AND RESEARCH 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37361422 PMCID: PMC10150143 DOI: 10.1007/s10610-023-09540-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the assumption that aspects of fear of crime (fear of rape and sense of insecurity) predict fear of terrorism. The online survey included 754 Israeli respondents, who answered questions about their demographic characteristics, fear of terrorism, fear of crime indicators (fear of rape and sense of insecurity), locus of control (LOC; internal and external), and coping strategies. The findings indicate that for women, higher belief in chance and fate, and powerful others (external LOC), higher sense of insecurity, and higher fear of rape were related to a higher fear of terrorism. For men, higher belief in chance and fate (external LOC), higher sense of insecurity, and higher fear of rape were related to a higher fear of terrorism. Furthermore, the effect of fear of rape on fear of terrorism was mediated by sense of insecurity. Our findings support the assumption that fear of crime shadows and affects fear of terrorism for men as well as women. Therefore, fear of rape should be addressed as a significant issue for both genders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Inna Levy
- Department of Criminology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
- Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Zefat Academic College, 11 Jerusalem Street, 13206 Zefat, Israel
| | - Nir Rozmann
- Department of Criminology, Western Galilee College, Acre, Israel
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Shepherd L, Mouter O, Elsey V, Lovell B. Do I Say or Let it Go? Emotions Predict How People Respond to Receiving Sexual Objectification at Work. SEX ROLES 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11199-023-01358-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
AbstractMany people are reluctant to report sexual objectification at work. We tested whether emotions determine how people respond to sexual objectification at work. In Study 1 (N = 159) women recalled a time that they had experienced sexual objectification at work. Participants then rated their emotions in this situation and how they responded. Anger positively and a shame-based emotion (rejection) negatively predicted taking action against the perpetrator (active response). In contrast, shame positively predicted women blaming themselves (self-blame). Moreover, pride positively and anger negatively predicted women viewing the action positively (e.g., as flattering, benign response). In Study 2 (N = 135) women imagined themselves receiving either a highly objectifying or ambiguous comment at work. Being objectified increased negative emotions and decreased pride. Moral outrage (i.e., anger and disgust) positively whilst shame-based emotions negatively predicted active responding. Shame-based emotions positively predicted self-blame, whilst pride positively and anger negatively predicted benign responding. Therefore, emotions determine how people respond to sexual objectification at work. Promoting moral outrage and reducing other emotions (e.g., shame, fear, and pride) may make women (a) more willing to report sexual objectification at work and (b) less likely to blame themselves or view such actions positively (i.e., benign responses).
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Mass Media Beauty Standards, Body Surveillance, and Relationship Satisfaction within Romantic Couples. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19073833. [PMID: 35409516 PMCID: PMC8997740 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19073833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
As part of objectification processes, individuals engage in body surveillance, whereby they constantly assess the extent to which their external appearance conforms to culturally valued ideals. Mass media play a key role in fostering the objectification and internalization of media beauty standards and increases body surveillance. At the individual level, the literature has largely demonstrated that body surveillance leads to a variety of negative psychological outcomes, but little research has focused on the consequences of body surveillance in the context of romantic relationships. Using dyadic data from couples who identified as heterosexual, the present study examined relations among internalization of media standards, body surveillance, surveillance of the partner’s body, surveillance from the partner, and relationship satisfaction. There were 438 participants (219 couples) recruited using snowball sampling. They were surveyed with an anonymous online questionnaire. Results showed that internalization of media standards was related to body surveillance in both men and women, and to surveillance of the partner’s body and relationship satisfaction in men only. For both sexes, surveillance of the partner’s body was negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. For women only, surveillance from the partner was also negatively related to relationship satisfaction. Implications are discussed.
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Moradi B, Tebbe E. A Test of Objectification Theory with Sexual Minority Women. PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN QUARTERLY 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/03616843211052525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
With this study, we aimed to advance objectification theory research with sexual minority women by examining the understudied roles of appearance anxiety and interoceptive awareness concomitantly with other key variables, including sexual objectification experiences, internalization of cultural appearance standards, body surveillance, and body shame. We also examined depressive symptoms as a criterion variable in addition to eating disorder symptoms. Survey data from 201 sexual minority women were analyzed. Manifest variable path analysis of the hypothesized model explained 35% and 27% of the variance in eating disorder and depressive symptoms, respectively. Results revealed a distinct pattern of cross-sectional direct and indirect relations for eating disorder and depressive symptoms. Specifically, body shame was a key unique correlate of eating disorder symptoms and linked internalization of cultural appearance standards and body surveillance with eating disorder symptoms. Appearance anxiety was a key unique correlate of depressive symptoms and linked internalization of cultural appearance standards and body surveillance with depressive symptoms. Sexual objectification experiences and interoceptive awareness generally did not yield significant unique direct or indirect relations in the model. These findings suggest distinct and complementary points of intervention to mitigate eating disorder and depressive symptoms for sexual minority women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie Moradi
- Department of Psychology and Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Elliot Tebbe
- School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Lincoln, NE, USA
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Lay awake with a racing mind: The associations between sexual objectification, insomnia, and affective symptoms. J Affect Disord 2022; 299:359-366. [PMID: 34915082 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual objectification is a form of interpersonal maltreatment that women may experience in daily life. Research has focused on testing how it leads to various psychological distresses. However, little research has examined its influences on women's sleep quality, the underlying psychological mechanisms, and the potential implications for affective symptoms. We addressed this research gap by testing whether sexual objectification predicted perceived stress and insomnia, thereby predicting affective symptoms (i.e., depression and anxiety). We further examined whether sex-is-power beliefs moderated these associations. METHODS Participants completed validated measures of sex-is-power beliefs, sexual objectification, perceived stress, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. We conducted regression analyses, structural equation modeling, and bootstrapping analyses to test the associations between these psychological constructs. RESULTS As predicted, the results showed that sexual objectification was positively associated with perceived stress, insomnia, and affective symptoms. Moreover, perceived stress and insomnia serially mediated the association between sexual objectification and affective symptoms. Furthermore, sex-is-power beliefs moderated the serial mediation effect, such that the effect was only observed among participants with weak sex-is-power beliefs. CONCLUSIONS These findings advanced current theories and knowledge of sexual objectification by demonstrating that sexual objectification is associated with perceived stress and insomnia, thereby predicting affective symptoms. The findings also highlighted the role of beliefs in weakening the negative consequences of sexual objectification.
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Reflections About What I Learned as an Editor Making Judgments about Gender and Gendered Contexts with a Feminist Perspective. SEX ROLES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11199-021-01235-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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