Self-Objectification and Sexual Satisfaction: A Preregistered Test of the Replicability and Robustness of Calogero & Thompson (2009) in a Sample of U.S. Women

Objectification theory has provided a useful framework for the study of women’s sexual outcomes. However, little research has been conducted on the role of self-objectification in predicting sexual satisfaction. We conducted a replication of Calogero and Thompson (2009a), which reported a direct relationship between self-surveillance and sexual satisfaction, and expanded upon their work. We tested four path analysis models: Calogero and Thompson’s reported and hypothesized models, and two previously untested models, all containing our variables of interest (media internalization, self-surveillance, body shame, sexual self-esteem, and sexual satisfaction). Each model was tested with the full sample (N = 349) and a restricted sample (N = 127) that met Calogero and Thompson’s relationship status and sexual frequency inclusion criteria, and with and without BMI covaried. Both samples consisted of U.S. college women recruited in Fall 2019, with a mean age of M = 19.68 in the restricted sample. Results showed good fit for all tested models but failed to replicate the direct pathway between self-surveillance and sexual satisfaction. Instead, our models supported an indirect effect of self-surveillance on sexual satisfaction through body shame and sexual self-esteem. Findings support the role of sociocultural channels in influencing college women’s body image and sexual experiences.

The Mediating Role of Media Internalization in Body Scrutinization and Body Image Dissatisfaction in Thai Homosexual Male Youth

The debilitating impact of body image dissatisfaction has been well-documented, leading to attempts to propose ways to alleviate the dissatisfaction. These proposals are drawn primarily from findings from studies on female youth. The current study extends this work, and contributes to an emerging initiative to attempt to reduce body image dissatisfaction in homosexual male youth. Past empirical findings have identified these adolescents to be particularly prone to body image dissatisfaction. With the formal operational stage of cognitive development, adolescents are particularly self-conscious and scrutinize their body image more critically, leading to body image dissatisfaction. The aim of the current study was to identify a potential protective factor that might help reduce the impact of body scrutinization in Thai homosexual male adolescents. These participants were selected due to the relative lack of published research on body image in Asian homosexual males. Additionally, despite its orientation toward the collectivistic fulfillment of social roles and obligations, Thai culture is quite accepting of sexual minorities. Homosexual male body image ideals are portrayed in the media with relatively high frequency. For this reason, internalization of media influence was selected as a potential mediator of the relationship between body scrutinization and body image dissatisfaction. Data were collected from 114 Thai homosexual male youths who responded to online questionnaires measuring body scrutinization, media internalization, and body image dissatisfaction. As hypothesized, findings demonstrated that body scrutinization significantly predicted both body image dissatisfaction and media internalization. Media internalization significantly but partially mediated the relationship between body scrutinization and body image dissatisfaction. Implications were discussed in terms of the preventative and therapeutic potentials for reducing media influence on body image dissatisfaction when the scrutinization was engaged.

The Role of Pubertal Timing and Heterosocial Involvement in Early Adolescents’ Media Internalization: A Moderated Moderation Analysis

The present three-wave panel study ( N = 968, [Formula: see text] = 11.30, SD = 1.06) examines how developmental factors—pubertal timing and heterosocial involvement (i.e., one’s involvement in cross-sex activities)—influence early adolescents’ level of media internalization. We hypothesized that early pubertal timing positively moderates the association between sexualizing magazine reading and media internalization. Next, we argued that increased heterosocial involvement will weaken the amplifying influence of early pubertal timing on the aforementioned relationship. Both hypotheses were confirmed. For early adolescents who mature earlier than same-age/sex peers, reading sexualizing magazines resulted in more media internalization. Furthermore, our results showed that moderate to high cross-sex peer interactions can serve as a protective force against the negative influence of early pubertal timing. These results highlight the influential role of appearance-related developmental factors in the processing of sexualizing magazine content and point to the potential protective role of cross-sex peer interactions in media internalization.

A Biopsychosocial Model for Understanding Media Internalization and Appearance Dissatisfaction Among Preadolescent Boys and Girls

Sociocultural models emphasize the role of media internalization in preadolescents’ appearance dissatisfaction. The present three-wave panel study sought to examine how biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors jointly contribute to preadolescents’ ( N = 973, Mage = 11.15 years) media internalization and appearance dissatisfaction over time. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test a hypothetical model in which media internalization mediated the effect of (a) pubertal timing, (b) media-related conversations with friends, and (c) perceptions of media as a good source of information regarding appearance and attractiveness, on change in appearance satisfaction. The model also examined the protective role of social self-esteem against the internalization of media ideals. For girls, pubertal timing was associated with increases in media internalization over time, directly and indirectly through media information and media-related conversations. For boys, pubertal timing indirectly predicted increases in media internalization over time, through media-related conversations. Media internalization positively predicted body dissatisfaction over time, and vice versa. Social self-esteem did not serve as a buffer against media internalization.

Preadolescents’ Reliance on and Internalization of Media Appearance Ideals: Triggers and Consequences

The present three-wave panel study ( N = 973, [Formula: see text] = 11.14) sought to advance the current literature on media internalization in preadolescence by examining triggers and consequences related to preadolescents’ media internalization and use of media for appearance information. We sought to examine whether (a) media internalization and use of media for appearance information could be explained by pubertal timing and peer appearance criticism, and (b) such media internalization and use of media for information could foster dysfunctional body image investment. Structural equation analyses showed that early maturation relative to peers and peer appearance criticism predicted preadolescents’ use of media for appearance information and media internalization, 6 months later. Such media use, in turn, predicted preadolescents’ development of dysfunctional appearance beliefs, 6 months later. These results highlight the importance for future studies to examine whether preadolescents’ reliance on appearance media stems from their need to cope with current body concerns.