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Sherman AM, Tran S, Sy J. Objectification and body esteem: age group patterns in women's psychological functioning. Aging Ment Health 2024; 28:706-716. [PMID: 37916646 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2273338] [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: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sexual objectification is related to negative outcomes for young adult women, but whether sexual objectification operates similarly for women in mid-life or older adulthood is less clear. Our aim was to assess self-objectification and sexually objectifying experiences for women in two different age groups, 18-27 and 48-90 and, further, test the relationship between objectification and psychological functioning. Based on objectification theory, we hypothesized that young adults would report higher self-objectification and sexually objectifying experiences compared to women in the older group. We further expected that these age differences would be related to body esteem and psychological functioning. METHODS We surveyed 218 women regarding their sexually objectifying experiences and self-objectification, as well as body esteem, global self-esteem, and mood/anxiety, all outcomes theoretically expected to be related to sexual objectification and self-objectification. RESULTS Sexually objectifying experiences and self-objectification were correlated with lower body esteem, lower global self-esteem, and higher mood/anxiety symptoms. Further, older women reported lower objectification and better psychological functioning. Tests of serial mediation showed that the relationship between age and two outcomes (self-esteem and mood/anxiety symptoms) was mediated by self-objectification and body esteem, while the model using experiences of sexually objectifying experiences was not supported. CONCLUSION Older women differed from younger women in the impact of self-objectification. We discuss these outcomes referencing age patterns and objectification theory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sydney Tran
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - John Sy
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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2
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Körner R, Schütz A. Power, Self-Esteem, and Body Image. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1027/1864-9335/a000510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Abstract: We expected power – the perceived capacity to influence others – to be an antecedent of positive body image because power is closely linked to self-esteem, which in turn is linked to body image. In a cross-sectional study ( N = 318), sense of power was positively related to body appreciation and satisfaction with one’s appearance. Self-esteem partially mediated this effect. In an experimental study ( N = 114), participants assigned to a high-power group indicated more body appreciation, reported more body satisfaction, and estimated themselves to be taller than participants assigned to a low-power group. Self-esteem mediated all the effects. Altogether, power affected body image directly but also indirectly through elevated self-esteem. Implications refer to clinical prevention and intervention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Körner
- Department of Psychology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Department of Psychology, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Astrid Schütz
- Department of Psychology, Otto-Friedrich-University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany
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Theodoropoulou O, Gardner KJ, Caswell N, Holyoak L, Gonidakis F. Effects of family functioning on eating pathology and psychosocial quality of life: The mediating role of self-esteem. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2023; 31:121-134. [PMID: 35951630 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Family dysfunction and self-esteem play an important role in the development of eating disorders (EDs), but this role has not been sufficiently examined regarding eating pathology and psychosocial quality of life (QoL), which often remains unchanged even after ED symptoms reduce. The purpose of this study was to therefore assess the mediating role of self-esteem between family dysfunction and both eating pathology and psychosocial QoL in ED patients and controls. METHOD One hundred and fifty four female adult ED patients and 154 female healthy adult controls were recruited from Athens, Greece, and self-reported measures were used to assess family dysfunction, eating pathology, self-esteem, and psychosocial QoL. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to test the mediation hypotheses. RESULTS For both the ED and control groups, family dysfunction levels did impact eating pathology, but only through self-esteem. Family dysfunction, self-esteem, and eating pathology had a direct effect on both groups' psychosocial QoL. CONCLUSION Self-esteem's important role in EDs was confirmed in both groups, along with its sensitivity to family dysfunction. We propose a parsimonious yet comprehensive theoretical model of the role of family dysfunction and self-esteem in EDs which future studies should further investigate longitudinally and in other population groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Theodoropoulou
- Eating Disorders Unit, 1st Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Kathryn Jane Gardner
- School of Psychology and Computer Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK
| | - Noreen Caswell
- School of Psychology and Computer Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK
| | - Lynda Holyoak
- School of Psychology and Computer Science, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK
| | - Fragiskos Gonidakis
- Eating Disorders Unit, 1st Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, NKUA, Athens, Greece
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Sfeir M, Malaeb D, Obeid S, Hallit S. Association between religiosity and orthorexia nervosa with the mediating role of self-esteem among a sample of the Lebanese population - short communication. J Eat Disord 2022; 10:151. [PMID: 36280860 PMCID: PMC9589842 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00672-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Orthorexia Nervosa is not yet classified as an eating disorder albeit it can be found in different populations. This condition can be characterized by a preoccupation with the quality of food, accompanied by obsessive thoughts regarding eating behaviors, leading to malnutrition. Previous associations have been reported between high levels of eating disorders and lower levels of self-esteem; where individuals have low self-esteem due to the pressured felt to fit the norms of society in beauty standards. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between religiosity and orthorexia nervosa via either trait or state self-esteem. METHODS This study was conducted between September 2021 and February 2022 and included 428 participants from all Lebanese governorates. The Teruel Orthorexia Nervosa scale was used to measure orthorexia nervosa. The following scales state self-esteem and religiosity were used to measure self-esteem. RESULTS Sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, household crowding index, body mass index and education) were entered in the mediation model as confounding variables. Higher religiosity was significantly associated with higher state self-esteem (Beta = 0.07), while higher state self-esteem was significantly associated with lower identification of those that exhibited ON tendencies or symptoms (Beta= -0.11). CONCLUSION A high state self-esteem was correlated with a lower level of orthorexia nervosa. Higher religiosity was shown to be associated with higher self-esteem, which in turn was associated with a decrease in the scores of orthorexia nervosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Sfeir
- Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Diana Malaeb
- College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE.,School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sahar Obeid
- Social and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Jbeil, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.,Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon
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5
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The longitudinal links between shame, eating disorders and social anxiety symptoms: a cross-lagged panel analysis. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03513-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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6
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Siegel JA, Huellemann KL, Calogero RM, Roberts TA. Psychometric properties and validation of the Phenomenological Body Shame Scale - Revised (PBSS-R). Body Image 2021; 39:90-102. [PMID: 34217949 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Body shame is a common experience among women yet a challenging phenomenon to operationalize, and measures of body shame often fail to capture its embodied aspects. In this article, we examined the structural and psychometric properties of an existing measure of body shame that was developed by Fredrickson et al. (1998) to assess the motivational and behavioral components of feeling body shame. Across three studies, women participants completed the Phenomenological Body Shame Scale (PBSS) and measures of theoretically related constructs in counterbalanced order via online survey platforms. The results demonstrate evidence of construct validity for an abbreviated, 8-item measure of phenomenological body shame (PBSS-R). In Study 1 (n = 341 community women), we evaluated and confirmed the scale's structural validity as a unidimensional measure. In Study 2 (n = 204 college women), we demonstrated positive associations between the PBSS-R and negative body image attitudes and behaviors, and negative associations with self-compassion, supporting the scale's external validity. In Study 3 (n = 235 community women), the PBSS-R explained variance in intuitive eating and happiness above theoretically related measures of self-objectification and body shame, supporting the scale's incremental validity. We recommend use of this abbreviated measure to assess the more embodied and less evaluative features of body shame in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn A Siegel
- Western University, Department of Psychology, London, ON, Canada.
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Nechita DM, Bud S, David D. Shame and eating disorders symptoms: A meta-analysis. Int J Eat Disord 2021; 54:1899-1945. [PMID: 34302369 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Numerous empirical studies and theoretical models posit that shame is a common experience among individuals across the eating disorder spectrum. In this study we aim to investigate the association between shame and eating disorders symptoms using a meta-analytical approach. METHOD In this meta-analysis, we synthesized findings from 195 studies to examine the proposed association between shame and eating disorders symptoms. We looked at the associations with both general eating disorders symptoms and with specific eating disorders symptoms (i.e., anorexic, bulimic, and binge-eating symptoms). Moderation analyses testing for the effect of type of shame, type of eating symptoms, clinical status, quality of the study, age, and gender were conducted. RESULTS Shame was significantly associated with a medium to large effect size with all types of eating disorders symptoms (rs between .40 and .52). Body shame (r = .55) and shame around eating (r = .59) were more strongly related with eating disorders pathology. Type of eating disorders symptoms did not moderate the relationship between shame and disturbed eating. DISCUSSION Overall, the magnitude of the effect size of the association between shame and eating disorders symptoms is a medium to large one. Body shame and shame around eating seem to be the types of shame most closely tied with eating disorders symptoms, suggesting that directly targeting them in interventions might be highly beneficial. Findings highlight current gaps in the literature (e.g., mostly correlational studies, low quality studies) with implications for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana-Mirela Nechita
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Samuel Bud
- International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Evidence-Based Assessment and Psychological Interventions Doctoral School, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Daniel David
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Orthorexic eating in women who are physically active in sport: A test of an objectification theory model. Body Image 2020; 35:154-160. [PMID: 33022482 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The present study tested an objectification model of orthorexic eating (i.e., pattern of disordered eating characterized by a preoccupation with food quality and purity, ritualistic styles of eating, avoidance of foods considered unhealthy, and compulsive evaluation of the source and nutritional content of foods) in women who are physically active in sport. A community sample of women physically active in sport (N = 228) completed an online survey with measures of orthorexic eating, phenomenological and appearance-based self-objectification, phenomenological body shame, sport-based perfectionism, and athletic identity. Parallel mediation analysis (PROCESS; Model 4) demonstrated a significant indirect effect (ab) of phenomenological self-objectification on orthorexic eating through phenomenological body shame (b = -0.10, 95 % percentile bootstrap confidence interval (PB CI): -0.15, -0.06), adjusting for three covariate measures. The direct effect (c') of phenomenological self-objectification on orthorexic eating was not significant (b = 0.02, 95 % PB CI: -0.07, 0.10). The findings support an objectification theory model of orthorexic eating in community women who participate in sport.
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Zamani Sani SH, Fathirezaie Z, Gerber M, Pühse U, Bahmani DS, Bashiri M, Pourali M, Brand S. Self-Esteem and Symptoms of Eating-Disordered Behavior Among Female Adolescents. Psychol Rep 2020; 124:1515-1538. [PMID: 32762295 DOI: 10.1177/0033294120948226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compared to males, female adolescents show greater concerns about their appearance, concerns related to their self-esteem. We explored the associations between self-esteem, body image and BMI as proxies for appearance, and eating-disordered behavior among adolescent females. METHODS A total of 263 females (mean age:15.78 years) took part in this study. They completed questionnaires covering anthropometric characteristics, self-esteem, eating-disordered behavior, subjective physical activity levels, and body image. RESULTS Higher scores for self-esteem were associated with higher scores for eating-disordered behavior, indices of physical activity, and slimmer body image. Body image was not associated with eating-disordered behavior. Multiple regression analyses showed that self-esteem, but not physical activity, or body image predicted eating-disordered behavior. CONCLUSIONS Among a non-clinical sample of female adolescents, self-esteem and eating-disordered behavior were positively associated. Body image was associated in a complex and contradictory fashion. It is possible that cognitive-emotional mastering of the vital impulse to eat may enhance self-esteem.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zahra Fathirezaie
- Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, 56947University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Uwe Pühse
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division of Sport Science, 27209University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dena Sadeghi Bahmani
- Adult Psychiatric Clinics (UPKE), Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), 27209University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Alzahra Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahdi Bashiri
- Sport Science Group, Faculty of Education and Psychology, 125619Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Pourali
- Physical Education and Sport Science group, 68106Islamic Azad University, Miyaneh Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Serge Brand
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division of Sport Science, 27209University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Adult Psychiatric Clinics (UPKE), Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Fairlamb S, Juhl J. Death thoughts predict increased depression for those with low self-worth. DEATH STUDIES 2020; 46:1021-1026. [PMID: 32673184 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2020.1793432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Terror management theory specifies that a sense of self-worth is necessary to prevent the awareness of death from undermining psychological well-being. We tested the theory's claims about well-being within the context of depression, by measuring self-worth, death-thought accessibility, and depression in an online study (N = 365). Consistent with the theory, death-thought accessibility predicted increased depression, but only among those with low, not high, self-worth. Our findings support existential clinical theorists' claims for psychological therapies to appreciate the underlying reasons for the need for self-worth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Fairlamb
- Psychology Department, Royal Holloway University of London, Surrey, UK
| | - Jacob Juhl
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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