Abstract
Objectification theory (Fredrickson and Roberts 1997) proposes that women are especially vulnerable to eating disordered behavior when they live in cultures in which their bodies
are a constant focus of evaluation. The current study examined whether predictions of objectification theory involving the
associations among sexual objectification, body surveillance, body shame, and eating disordered behavior were supported in
groups that varied by both gender and sexual orientation. Adults from a U.S. community sample in the Chicago area (92 heterosexual
women; 102 heterosexual men; 87 gay men; and 99 lesbian women) completed self-report measures of these constructs. Results
suggest that group differences in experiences of sexual objectification and body surveillance may partially explain gender
and sexual orientation-based differences in eating disordered behavior.
are a constant focus of evaluation. The current study examined whether predictions of objectification theory involving the
associations among sexual objectification, body surveillance, body shame, and eating disordered behavior were supported in
groups that varied by both gender and sexual orientation. Adults from a U.S. community sample in the Chicago area (92 heterosexual
women; 102 heterosexual men; 87 gay men; and 99 lesbian women) completed self-report measures of these constructs. Results
suggest that group differences in experiences of sexual objectification and body surveillance may partially explain gender
and sexual orientation-based differences in eating disordered behavior.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s11199-011-9958-8
- Authors
- Renee Engeln-Maddox, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, 2029 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Steven A. Miller, Department of Clinical Psychology, Argosy University, Chicago, IL USA
- David Matthew Doyle, Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA USA
- Journal Sex Roles
- Online ISSN 1573-2762
- Print ISSN 0360-0025