2196 – The association between body image issues and women's sexual functioning through the lens of the objectification theory

Abstract

IntroductionPhysical appearance is a major component of human sexuality. Body image is associated with females' sexual functioning; and poor body image is strongly related to sexual functioning problems (SFP). SFP are becoming more pervasive throughout Western culture. Objectification Theory (OT) provides a framework for understanding how sociocultural pressure is translated into psychological risk factors that promote body concerns and SFP. Previous research indicated that the core constructs of OT (body monitoring, body shame and appearance anxiety) predicted higher self-consciousness, which according to a recent review of 57 empirical studies, interferes with sexual responses and experiences during sexual activity.ObjectivesThe central purpose of the current study was to build upon the extant literature by incorporating internalization of the norms for body shape and weight portrayed by the media and self-consciousness during sexual activity into the OT model. Thus, we aimed to examine a more comprehensive model of women's SFP (i.e., lacking interest in sex, inability to achieve orgasm, trouble achieving or maintaining an adequate lubrication) grounded in OT.MethodsData were analysed from 391 sexually active Italian college women (Mage = 20.9) using latent variable structural equation modeling approach. Results. Internalization of media ideals led to body surveillance, which was related to body shame and appearance anxiety. The latter were related to self-consciousness during sexual activity, which in turn strongly women's SFP.ConclusionsThe study points to the role of body-image attitudes in sexual functioning and suggests that OT provides a useful framework to identify predictors of women's SFP.

Flashback to a War Zone: A Qualitative Analysis of Black Women’s Experiences During the Racial Pandemic

“…Issues with self-esteem, self-worth, and isolation or withdrawal are common symptoms of depression; the prevalence of these issues in participants' stories is unsurprising. Feelings of ostracization resulting from gendered racism can affect perceptions of worth and body image, both of which were disclosed by participants (Dakanalis & Riva, 2013;Watson et al, 2019). Lastly, consistent with emerging empirical evidence on gendered racism and anxiety, participants noted the presence of anxiety as a psychological consequence (Wright & Lewis, 2020).…”

“…Past research demonstrates a linkage between gendered racism and depression (Carr et al, 2014), suicidality (Carr et al, 2013), anxiety (Wright & Lewis, 2020), alcohol-related consequences (Davis et al, 2014), and traumarelated symptoms . As another manifestation of gendered racism, factors like internalization of racialized stereotypes and Eurocentric beauty ideals contribute to body shame, disordered eating, and excessive weight management among Black women (Dakanalis & Riva, 2013;Gentles-Peart, 2018;Watson et al, 2019).…”

Internalization of a thin ideal and body dissatisfaction in lesbian and heterosexual women: Testing a moderated mediation model.

“…Objectification theory has been researched in lesbian women, with similar levels of reported self-objectification found between lesbian and heterosexual women (Hill & Fischer, 2008). There is a strong link between cultural sexual objectification, objectifying messages and themes from mainstream media, and the negative body image-related psychological outcomes of self-objectification (Dakanalis & Riva, 2013). Moradi (2010) further reported that Stice's sociocultural model of body image overlaps with objectification theory because internalization is a key component of both theories.…”

Effects of self-objectification on viewers’ narrative engagement.

“…Self-objectification manifests through the practice of body monitoring, that is, using cognitive resources for evaluation of one's body appearance from an observer's perspective to determine whether one's body is attractive enough and hence, good enough (Calogero, 2012;Mckinley & Hyde, 1996). Even though objectification theory was developed as an attempt to explain the effects of self-objectification in women, such as body shame and sexual dysfunction (Dakanalis & Riva, 2013), more recent research demonstrates the prevalence of self-objectification in men (Frederick et al, 2022;Harsey & Zurbriggen, 2021).…”