A Systematic Literature Review Exploring Objectification and Motherhood

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-538
Author(s):  
Olivia Donati Beech ◽  
Leah Kaufmann ◽  
Joel Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Fear Of Childbirth ◽  
Healthy Relationships ◽  
Generational Effects ◽  
Self Objectification

Objectification theory provides a theoretical framework for understanding how socialization and experiences of objectification can lead women to place excessive value on their appearance—a process known as self-objectification. Despite the number of women that are mothers, the application of objectification theory to motherhood has been relatively limited. This review synthesizes the available research exploring objectification during motherhood. We conducted a systematic search for published and unpublished articles that quantitatively examined the objectification of, or self-objectification during, motherhood across five databases in March 2019. The search yielded 23 studies across 20 articles, which in combination revealed strong evidence of societal objectification of mothers and self-objectification by mothers. Effects were found for pregnant and postpartum women, in both community and university samples of mothers. Outcomes included more body shame, concerns about the negative impact of breastfeeding, barriers to breastfeeding, fear of childbirth, disordered eating, and greater appearance concerns in mothers, and sexualized behaviors and body surveillance for their children. Some evidence indicated that self-objectifying may be protective for mothers in certain situations, but it was mostly associated with harmful consequences. Finally, some evidence suggested that there may be age and generational effects of objectification, which may impact all women, including mothers. We hope these findings highlight the benefits for women to engage in healthy relationships with their bodies and to consider the functionality of their body as it changes in preparation for entering motherhood.

scholarly journals Self-objectification, body shame, and disordered eating: Testing a core mediational model of objectification theory among White, Black, and Hispanic women

Body Image ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 5-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Schaefer ◽  
Natasha L. Burke ◽  
Rachel M. Calogero ◽  
Jessie E. Menzel ◽  
Ross Krawczyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Hispanic Women ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Mediational Model ◽  
Self Objectification

Testing objectification theory with Chinese undergraduate women and men

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Zheng ◽  
Qingqing Sun
Keyword(s):  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Depressed Mood ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Body Surveillance ◽  
Undergraduate Women ◽  
Appearance Anxiety

We tested the applicability of objectification theory to the prediction of disordered eating and depressed mood among Chinese undergraduate students. Participants (N = 430) completed measures of body surveillance, body shame, appearance anxiety, level of internal awareness, flow, disordered eating, and depressed mood. Results of structural equation modeling revealed the model of objectification theory provided a poor fit to the data for both genders, but 2 exploratory models with good fit were generated after subsequent modification to the model. For women, body shame and appearance anxiety mediated the relationships among body surveillance, disordered eating, and depressed mood. Furthermore, body surveillance indirectly influenced women's level of internal awareness and flow via body shame and appearance anxiety, which led to disordered eating and depressed mood. This pattern of relationships was similar for men, except for flow, which was not related to the outcome variables. We concluded that objectification theory is applicable to women and men in China.

An Inhospitable World: Exploring a Model of Objectification Theory With Trans Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Comiskey ◽  
Mike C. Parent ◽  
Elliot A. Tebbe
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
The United States ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Theory Model ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Body Surveillance ◽  
Cultural Standards ◽  
Trans Women ◽  
Silicone Injections

In this study, we investigated key tenets of objectification theory, a prominent model of body image disturbance, as it relates to trans women’s disordered eating and intention to obtain silicone injections—a specific health risk for this population. We also incorporated appearance congruence, or the degree to which an individual personally feels that their gender expression matches their gender identity, into the objectification theory model. Results of a structural equation model using data from a sample of 173 trans women from the United States indicated that the basic objectification theory model held among this sample and that appearance congruence was associated negatively with body surveillance. However, appearance congruence did not have significant direct or indirect links (via body surveillance and body shame) with disordered eating or intention to obtain silicone injections. Thus, disordered eating and intention to obtain silicone injections are potential negative outcomes of the process of objectification among trans women, and appearance congruence does not appear to be uniquely linked to health risks associated with internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness, body surveillance, and body shame. Our findings support the application of the tenets of objectification theory with trans women as they apply to disordered eating and intention to obtain silicone injections and also indicate the need to identify other positive influences on trans women’s body image to counteract internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness.

scholarly journals How Self-Compassion Moderates the Effect of Body Surveillance on Subjective Happiness and Depression among Women

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Wollast ◽  
Olivier Klein ◽  
Abigail Rose Riemer ◽  
Philippe Bernard ◽  
Christophe Leys
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Subjective Happiness ◽  
Body Surveillance ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Self Objectification

According to objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997), being treated as an object leads women to engage in self-objectification, which in turn increases body surveillance and body shame as well as impairs mental health. However, very little is known about what factors could act as buffers against the detrimental consequences of self-objectification. This paper seeks to understand the role of self-compassion (the ability to kindly accept oneself or show self-directed kindness while suffering) in the perception that women have of their own bodies. Results indicate that self-compassion moderated the effect of body surveillance on depression and happiness separately among women. More specifically, for women low in self-compassion, body surveillance was negatively associated with happiness, which was explained by increased depression. In sum, our results indicate that self-compassion protects against the detrimental consequences of body surveillance.

Objectification Among College Women in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Gervais ◽  
M. Meghan Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
College Women ◽  
Physical Abuse ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Psychological Abuse ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Body Surveillance ◽  
Self Objectification

This study examined intimate partner violence (IPV) and objectification. Specifically, the associations between psychological and physical abuse and self-objectification, body surveillance, and body shame for college women were considered through the lens of objectification theory. Consistent with Hypothesis 1, bivariate correlations showed that more psychological abuse was associated with more self-objectification, more body surveillance, and more body shame. As well, more physical abuse was associated with more body surveillance and more body shame. However, when the unique effects of psychological and physical abuse were considered in a path model, the links between psychological abuse and objectification remained while the links between physical abuse and objectification became nonsignificant. In addition, consistent with Hypothesis 2 and the model proposed by objectification theory, body surveillance and the combined effect of self-objectification and body surveillance explained relations between psychological abuse and body shame. This work fills an important gap in the current literature because it is the only study to date that examines relations between both psychological and physical abuse and self-objectification, body surveillance, and body shame. Implications and future directions are discussed.

Assessing Self-Objectification and Disordered Eating Through Body Shame and Exercise

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda M. Herges ◽  
Lauren J. Shelly ◽  
Ashly J. Hagen ◽  
Anna M. Charbonneau
Keyword(s):  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Self Objectification

scholarly journals Sexual Victimization and Disordered Eating in Bisexual Women: A Test of Objectification Theory

2020 ◽  
pp. 107780122096390
Author(s):  
Samantha C. Holmes ◽  
Alexis M. DaFonseca ◽  
Dawn M. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Significant Positive Relationship ◽  
Heterosexual Women ◽  
The Relationship

The current study (a) ascertained whether there is a relationship between sexual victimization (SV) and disordered eating (DE) among bisexual women, (b) assessed whether objectification theory explains the relationship, and (c) tested for group differences between bisexual and heterosexual women on SV, DE, and other objectification theory variables. Utilizing a sample of 164 undergraduate bisexual women, there was a significant positive relationship between SV and DE that was serially mediated by self-surveillance and body shame. In addition, bisexual participants endorsed more SV, DE, body shame, and interoceptive deficits than a comparison sample of 335 undergraduate heterosexual women. Implications are discussed.

Effect of Environment and Appearance Compliment on College Women's Self-Objectification, Mood, Body Shame, and Cognitive Performance

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marika Tiggemann ◽  
Michelle Boundy
Keyword(s):  
Social Environment ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Body Shame ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Focus Attention ◽  
Female Undergraduate ◽  
Self Objectification

Objectification theory contends that women self-objectify as a result of internalizing an external observer's perspective of their physical selves. Self-objectification has been examined as both a stable enduring trait and as a context dependant state. The present study attempted to trigger state self-objectification by relatively subtle manipulation of the immediate physical and social environment. Participants were 96 female undergraduate students who completed questionnaire measures and cognitive tasks in a 2 (a subtle objectifying environment versus a standard environment) x 2 (an appearance compliment versus no comment) x 2 (high versus low trait self-objectification) design. It was found that, for women high on trait self-objectification, the objectifying physical environment enhanced state self-objectification, and the appearance compliment enhanced body shame. The findings demonstrate that subtle situational factors not requiring women to explicitly focus attention on their own bodies can elicit self-objectification and its proposed consequences, particularly among women high in trait self-objectification.

How Sexual Objectification Generates Dehumanization in Western and Eastern Cultures

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Wollast ◽  
Elisa Puvia ◽  
Philippe Bernard ◽  
Passagorn Tevichapong ◽  
Olivier Klein
Keyword(s):  
Social Perception ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Objectification Theory ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
Sexual Objectification ◽  
Intense Pain ◽  
Eastern Cultures ◽  
Theory Research ◽  
Self Objectification ◽  
Asian Sample

Abstract. Ever since Fredrickson and Roberts (1997) proposed objectification theory, research on self-objectification and – by extension – other-objectification has experienced a considerable expansion. However, most of the studies on sexual objectification have been conducted solely in Western populations. This study investigates whether the effect of target sexualization on social perception differs as a function of culture (Western vs. Eastern). Specifically, we asked a Western sample (Belgian, N = 62) and a Southeast Asian sample (Thai, N = 98) to rate sexualized versus nonsexualized targets. We found that sexual objectification results in dehumanization in both Western (Belgium) and Eastern (Thailand) cultures. Specifically, participants from both countries attributed less competence and less agency to sexualized than to nonsexualized targets, and they reported that they would administer more intense pain to sexualized than to nonsexualized targets. Thus, building on past research, this study suggests that the effect of target sexualization on dehumanization is a more general rather than a culture-specific phenomenon.

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