Women and the Experience of Serious Mental Illness and Sexual Objectification: Multicultural Feminist Theoretical Frameworks and Therapy Recommendations

Carr, Erika; Green, Brandeis; Ponce, Allison N.

doi:10.1080/02703149.2014.978216

Cited by 13 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…These experiences with distinct aspects of stigma may also shed light on the increased isolation observed among male participants, particularly if men come to associate disclosing their illness with relationships ending or others expressing fear of dangerousness. Our findings are also consistent with work pointing to women with serious mental illness experiencing unique social challenges and pejorative treatment by others (Carr et al, 2015; Nasser et al, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…In the general population, subjective experiences of men and women differ on a range of sociopolitical, psychological, and potentially biological factors (Carr, Green, & Ponce, 2015; Gilligan, 1982; Nassar, Walders, & Jankins, 2002; Seeman, 1997). Research among people with psychosis suggests these differences are present, along with others.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How psychosis interrupts the lives of women and men differently: a qualitative comparison

et al. 2020

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Purpose Psychosis disrupts how persons experience themselves and their lives. Despite knowledge that gender differences have been noted in presentation and course of psychosis symptoms, little is known about differences in how men and women experience these disruptions. Method The narratives of 26 men and 27 women diagnosed with psychosis, matched on age, education, and race, of the impact of psychosis on one’s life, were compared. Using secondary data from semi‐structured interviews, themes were identified using inductive, phenomenological qualitative analyses. Results Women and men discussed psychosis‐related interruptions to the roles and relationships that shape their identity. Both genders discussed the impact of psychosis on their sense of self, work, and relationships. Nuanced gender differences emerged, informing unique areas of challenge related to (1) parenting and loss of parenting roles, (2) work and loss or changes in work trajectories, (3) isolation and strain on interpersonal relationships, and (4) manifestations of stigma. Conclusions Psychosis may disrupt distinct aspects of life for men and women. Each gender faces the intersection of socially informed expectations that impact one’s experiences of stigma, expectations of others, and manifestations of losses felt in one’s role and sense of identity. Findings inform important considerations for therapy and other services. Practitioner points Gender‐based socialized expectations, losses, and challenges that accompany psychosis are important areas for therapeutic consideration. Current treatments may neglect challenges that are more commonly experienced by women with psychosis.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How psychosis interrupts the lives of women and men differently: a qualitative comparison

et al. 2020

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“…Feminist-oriented therapy focuses on establishing egalitarian relationships, encouraging autonomy, and considering clients’ experiences within the context of the social and political environment—which can be beneficial for issues surrounding body stigma and objectification (Carr et al, 2015; Srebnik & Saltzberg, 1994; Worell & Remer, 2003). Unfortunately, some psychotherapy training programs do not incorporate feminist theory, and licensing and accreditation requirements encourage a focus on more traditional forms of therapy (Goodman et al, 2004; Goodrich & Silverstein, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Young Women’s Body Attitudes and Sexual Satisfaction: Examining Dehumanization and Communication as Serial Multiple Mediators

Holland

Silver

Cipriano

et al. 2021

Psychology of Women Quarterly

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Women’s bodies are frequent sites of stigmatization. The internalization of negative attitudes toward the body can have negative implications for women’s sexual wellbeing. In the current study, we examined the relationships between young women’s internalization of body stigma—including body shape, genitals, and menstrual periods—and sexual satisfaction. Additionally, we tested two mechanisms that may mediate the relationship between body attitudes and sexual satisfaction: dehumanization (i.e., feelings of a loss of autonomy and subjectivity) and communication with a sexual partner (e.g., expressing needs and desires). We collected and analyzed survey data from 569 undergraduate women. We tested serial mediation models, such that more negative body attitudes would predict greater feelings of dehumanization, and more dehumanization would predict less comfort communicating with a sexual partner, and less comfort communicating would then predict decreased sexual satisfaction. We found support for serial mediation, which suggests that the links between body attitudes and sexual satisfaction may be partially explained by feelings of dehumanization and communication with a sexual partner. Our findings identify opportunities for intervention in practice and policy, and further clarify the ways that sociocultural stigma surrounding women’s bodies extends beyond the body—affecting women’s feelings of power, relationships, and sexual lives.

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“…The body shame and appearance anxiety caused by self-objectification have been shown to increase depressed mood [22]. Furthermore, Carr et al [23] argue that objectification of women's bodies can also exacerbate serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder, by further marginalizing women whose mental illness has already marginalized them.…”

Section: Sexual Monitoring Objectification Theory and Women's Mentamentioning

confidence: 99%

Don’t Objectify Me!: Sexual Self-Monitoring, Coping, and Psychological Maladjustment

Baggett¹,

Nagoshi²,

Nagoshi³

2021

Psycho-Social Aspects of Human Sexuality and Ethics

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Undergraduate college students (283 females, 127 males) completed surveys aimed at measuring positive sexual awareness vs. sexual self-monitoring, coping styles, and psychopathological symptoms. Positive sexual awareness significantly positively correlated with adaptive coping styles but did not otherwise correlate with psychopathological symptoms. Sexual self-monitoring was significantly positively correlated with somatization, depression-anxiety, and avoidant coping in women but not men. Bootstrapped mediation analyses indicated that the relationships between sexual self-monitoring and somatization, depression-anxiety, and eating disorder symptoms were significantly mediated by avoidant coping in women but not in men. These results were explained in terms of Objectification Theory, suggesting that women who experience sexual objectification are more likely to engage in avoidant coping, thus increasing their risk of developing psychopathology. Findings are discussed in terms of broader issues of the disempowering effects of objectification.

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Women and the Experience of Serious Mental Illness and Sexual Objectification: Multicultural Feminist Theoretical Frameworks and Therapy Recommendations

Cited by 13 publications

References 58 publications

How psychosis interrupts the lives of women and men differently: a qualitative comparison

How psychosis interrupts the lives of women and men differently: a qualitative comparison

Young Women’s Body Attitudes and Sexual Satisfaction: Examining Dehumanization and Communication as Serial Multiple Mediators

Don’t Objectify Me!: Sexual Self-Monitoring, Coping, and Psychological Maladjustment

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