Self-Objectification and Its Psychological Outcomes for College Women

2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp ◽  
Renee N. Saris-Baglama
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Restrictive Eating ◽  
Bulimic Symptoms ◽  
Objectification Of Women ◽  
Self Objectification ◽  
The Relationship

The objectification of women by our society can become internalized by women, resulting in negative psychological outcomes. Using Fredrickson and Roberts' (1997) objectification theory, we tested a model of the relationships between self-objectification and disordered eating and depressive symptoms in a sample of undergraduate women ( n = 384). One postulate of self-objectification theory is that self-objectification can lead to a lack of internal awareness, which may mediate the relationship between self-objectification and restrictive eating, bulimic, and depressive symptoms. Results of structural equation modeling suggest that self-objectification has a direct relationship to restrictive eating, bulimic, and depressive symptoms. The mediational role of internal awareness was relevant for depressive symptoms but not for restrictive eating or bulimic symptoms. Depressive symptoms did, however, mediate the relationship between self-objectification and bulimic symptoms. The relevance of our findings to the understanding of objectification theory are discussed and future areas of research recommended.

A social epidemiological perspective on local tennis league participation: a multigroup moderated-mediation structural analysis using PLS-SEM

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Chan Hyung Kim ◽  
James Du ◽  
Jeffrey James
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Moderated Mediation ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of the current research was to examine the different relationships between individuals' sense of community in sport (SCS) cultivated by participating in local sport leagues, social support and health-related psychological outcomes (i.e. depressive symptoms and happiness) based on the participants' involvement level in the tennis league.Design/methodology/approach Using participants (n = 150) from local tennis leagues in the Southeastern region of the USA, the authors first conducted an instrument validation procedure to assess the psychometric properties of the included measures, and second, the authors analyzed the proposed multigroup moderated-mediation structural model using component-based partial least squares structural equation modeling with SmartPLS 3 (Ringle et al., 2015).Findings The results provide adequate evidence of reliability and validity for both the included reflective and formative constructs. Further, the findings of the proposed moderated-mediation structural model indicated that SCS was positively and significantly associated with social support and happiness while negatively related with depressive symptoms. Social support only mediated the relationship between SCS and happiness. The multigroup analysis results showed significant differences in the relationship between social support and happiness between the least involved group and more involved groups.Originality/valueThe findings of this study indicated that SCS experienced through participation in local sport leagues can develop both the extent and quality of supportive social relationships with other engaging members. One conclusion from the findings is recognizing a need to develop interventions to enhance SCS, social support and health-related psychological outcomes through local sport league participation.

Self-Objectification, Risk Taking, and Self-Harm in College Women

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp ◽  
Jenny D. Swanson ◽  
Amy M. Brausch
Keyword(s):  
College Women ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Women's Bodies ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Self Objectification

Objectification theory proposes that the objectification of women's bodies causes women to self-objectify, adopting an outsider's view of themselves. Engaging in a high amount of self-objectification is thought to place women at increased risk for mental health problems such as body dissatisfaction and depression. It was hypothesized that self-objectification would contribute to negative body regard and depression, which would increase participation in risk-taking and self-harmful behaviors. Structural equation modeling was used to test a model of risk for self-harm based upon objectification theory in a sample of 391 college women. Results indicate that the model provided a good fit to the data, but only the paths from self-objectification to negative body regard, negative body regard to depression, and depression to self-harm were significant. Implications of these findings for objectification theory and our understanding of self-harm in women are discussed.

scholarly journals Is rumination a risk and a protective factor?

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlin A. Harding ◽  
Amy Mezulis
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cognitive Responses ◽  
Affective Content ◽  
Positive Rumination ◽  
Analysis Models ◽  
The Relationship

High trait positive affect (PA) protects against depressive symptoms through cognitive responses such as rumination. However, how rumination in response to positive emotions (positive rumination) protects against depressive symptoms while rumination in response to negative emotions (brooding) predicts depressive symptoms is poorly understood. We hypothesized that (a) positive rumination and brooding represent a shared cognitive process of affect amplification on distinct affective content and (b) less brooding and greater positive rumination would distinctly mediate greater trait PA in predicting fewer depressive symptoms. Our prospective design among 321 adults first compared three confirmatory factor analysis models of the relationship between brooding and positive rumination. We then utilized structural equation modeling to examine whether brooding and positive rumination mediated the relationship between trait PA and depressive symptoms, controlling for baseline depressive symptoms, trait negative affect (NA), and the distinct effects of each mediator. Results supported a conceptualization of brooding and positive rumination as distinct but related constructs, represented as a common process of affect amplification to explain how rumination may amplify resilience or risk in predicting depressive symptoms (χ = 195.07, Δχ = 8.78, p < .001, CFI = .91, RMSEA = .07). Furthermore, positive rumination and brooding were distinctly predicted by trait PA, suggesting that trait PA exerts distinct effects on protective and risk forms of rumination. Less brooding mediated the relationship between greater trait PA and fewer depressive symptoms (β = -.04, p = .012), but positive rumination did not (β = .02, p = .517). Rumination may represent a protective and a risk factor, which may better enable individuals who brood to redirect their rumination on positive content and thereby reduce their risk of depressive symptoms.

scholarly journals Job Insecurity and Depressive Symptoms in Mothers and Adolescents: A Dyadic Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saija Mauno ◽  
Jaana Minkkinen ◽  
Riikka Hirvonen ◽  
Noona Kiuru
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Indirect Path ◽  
Moderator Model ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Perceived Job Insecurity

AbstractIn this study, we examined whether maternal perceived job insecurity (JI) affected depressive symptoms in their adolescent children. Specifically, we tested a mediator-moderator model in which we hypothesized that maternal JI was related to adolescent depressive symptoms indirectly via maternal depressive symptoms. Most importantly, we also explored whether this indirect path was moderated by two buffering resources, i.e., maternal off-job recovery and adolescent self-esteem. There is little research on the effects of parental JI on adolescent children from the viewpoint of buffering moderators. Due to growing insecurity in the labor markets we need more information about resources that mitigate the harmful effects of JI within families. We tested the model via structural equation modeling among Finnish mother-adolescent dyads (N = 601, mothers aged 32–60 years; adolescents aged 14–18 years). Our results showed that mothers’ depressive symptoms did not mediate the relationship between mothers’ JI and adolescents’ depressive symptoms, but mothers’ JI was directly related to increased depressive symptoms among both adolescents and their mothers. Mothers’ off-job recovery and adolescents’ self-esteem buffered against mothers’ JI in relation to depressive symptoms. When off-job recovery (in mothers) and self-esteem (in adolescents) were high, the higher level of JI was not associated with increased depressive symptoms. Off-job recovery among working mothers should be improved as it has potential to protect against JI. Moreover, adolescents’ self-esteem should be boosted as it mitigates the effects of mothers’ job stress (e.g., JI) on adolescents’ well-being.

Psychosocial Correlates of Bulimic Symptoms Among NCAA Division-I Female Collegiate Gymnasts and Swimmers/Divers

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlin M. Anderson ◽  
Trent A. Petrie ◽  
Craig S. Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Body Dissatisfaction ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Division I ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Restrictive Eating ◽  
Bulimic Symptoms ◽  
Collegiate Gymnasts

In this study, we tested Petrie and Greenleaf’s (2007) model of bulimic symptoms in two independent samples of female collegiate swimmers/divers and gymnasts. Structural equation modeling revealed support for the model, although it also suggested additional pathways. Specifically, general societal pressures regarding weight and body were related to the internalization of those ideals and, subsequently, to increases in body dissatisfaction. Pressures from the sport environment regarding weight and appearance were associated with more body dissatisfaction and more restrictive eating. Body dissatisfaction was related to more feelings of sadness, anger, and fear among the athletes. Negative affect, body dissatisfaction, and dietary restraint were related directly to bulimic symptoms, accounting for 55-58% of its variance. These results suggest that general sociocultural pressures are influential, but weight and appearance pressures in the sport environment may be even more pervasive and negative for female athletes.

Family functioning and psychological outcomes in emerging adulthood: Savoring positive experiences as a mediating mechanism

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (9) ◽  
pp. 2693-2713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Y. M. Cheung ◽  
Man Chong Leung ◽  
Hey Tou Chiu ◽  
Joyce L. Y. Kwan ◽  
Lydia T. S. Yee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Family Functioning ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Positive Experiences

The present study tested the mediating role of perceived capability of savoring positive experiences in the associations between family functioning and emerging adults’ psychological outcomes, namely, depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. A sample of 167 Chinese emerging adults (112 female) were recruited from two major universities in Hong Kong. Participants were asked to complete a set of self-reported questionnaires. Findings based on structural equation modeling indicated that family functioning and savoring positive experiences were associated with emerging adults’ depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Results from bootstrapping further suggested savoring positive experiences as a partial mediator between family functioning and depressive symptoms. These findings enriched the literature by suggesting family dynamics and savoring positive experiences as important correlates of psychological outcomes in the Chinese context. Contributions of these findings to the understanding of psychological functioning in emerging adulthood are discussed.

Depressive Symptoms and Loneliness in Early Adolescence: The Role of Empathy and Emotional Self-Efficacy

2020 ◽  
pp. 027243162091915
Author(s):  
Emanuela Calandri ◽  
Federica Graziano ◽  
Elena Cattelino ◽  
Silvia Testa
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Early Adolescents ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Analyze Data

Knowledge about the role of empathy, emotional self-efficacy, and loneliness on early adolescents’ depressive symptoms is scarce. The main aims of the study were to investigate the following: (a) the role of empathy and emotional self-efficacy (additive and interactive) on loneliness and depressive symptoms, taking into account gender differences and (b) the possible mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between emotional predictors and depressive symptoms. Three hundred forty-eight Italian early adolescents (48% girls; mean age, 13; SD = 0.3) completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire at two time points (1 year apart). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze data. Results indicated the following: (a) high empathy and low emotional self-efficacy were related to higher subsequent loneliness and depressive symptoms; (b) emotional self-efficacy moderated the relationship between empathy and loneliness and, only for girls, between empathy and depressive symptoms; (c) no mediation role of loneliness between emotional predictors (empathy and emotional self-efficacy) and depressive symptoms was found. Results are discussed in relation to preventive interventions targeting early adolescents.

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