Journal List > Korean J Women Health Nurs > v.16(1) > 1037261

TOOLS
Lee: Analysis of Path Model Based on Objectification Theory for College Women's Eating Disorder Symptomatology
Original Article
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2010; 16(1): 78-86.

Published online: 31 March 2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2010.16.1.78

Analysis of Path Model Based on Objectification Theory for College Women's Eating Disorder Symptomatology

Eun-Joo Lee

Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Lee, Eun-Joo, Department of Nursing, Jeju National University, 66 Jejudaehakno, Jeju 690-756, Korea. Tel: 82-64-754-3881, Fax: 82-64-702-2686, flym2m@jejunu.ac.kr

Received 7 January 2010       Accepted 3 March 2010

Copyright © 2010 Korean Academy of Women's Health Nursing

Abstract

Purpose

This study was to examine the fitness of a path model based on the objectification theory and to expand it by including the new variables to explain eating disorder symptomatology (EDS).

Methods

The subjects consisted of 444 college women. Data was collected through self-report questionnaires that measured self-objectification (SO), social physique anxiety (SPA) and EDS as the original variables in the objectification theory, and influence of mass media (IMM) and sex-role attitude (SRA) as the new variables. Data was analyzed by SPSS/WIN 12.0 and Amos 5.0 programs.

Results

IMM and SRA showed direct effect on SO. IMM had direct and indirect effect on SPA and EDS. SRA had direct and indirect effect on EDS, but only indirect effect on SPA. SO and SPA influenced EDS directly, and SO influenced indirectly EDS.

Conclusion

Path analyses indicated support for the original theory and the expanded theory. It is necessary for repeated studies including various age groups of women to clarify the applicability of the objectification theory to Korean women's eating disorders. And it were recommended that we should promote womens' criticism of the image and message about the perfect female body presented in the mass media, and to highlight the relationship of gender equality to women's eating disorders in health education.

Keywords: Objectification, College women, Eating disorder symptomatology, Mass media, Sex role attitude

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Hypothetical model.
kjwhn-16-78-g001
Table 1
Descriptive Statistics of the Measured Variables (N=444)
kjwhn-16-78-i001

IMM=influence of mass media; SRA=sex-role attitude; SO=self-objectification; SPA=social physical anxiety; EDS=eating disorder symptomatology.

*p<.05, **p<.01, ***p<.001.

Table 2
Model Fitness Index for Hypothetical Model
kjwhn-16-78-i002
Table 3
Direct, Indirect, and Total Effect in Hypothetical Model (N=444)
kjwhn-16-78-i003

IMM=influence of mass media; SRA=sex-role attitude; SO=self-objectification; SPA=social physical anxiety; EDS=eating disorder symptomatology.

References

1. Augustus-Horvath C.L., Tylka T.L. A test and examination of objectification theory as it predicts disordered eating: Does women's age matter? Journal of counseling psychology. 2009. 56(2):253–265.
2. Calogero R.M. A test of objectification theory: The effect of the male gaze on appearance concerns in college women. Psychology of Women Quarterly. 2004. 28:16–21.
3. Calogero R.M. Objectification processes and disordered eating in british women and men. Journal of Health Psychology. 2009. 14(3):394–402.
4. Carmins E., Mclver J. Analyzing models with unobserved models: Analysis of covariance structures. 1981. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
5. Choi M.S., Cheon S.H. Internalization of the sociocultural attitudes, body shape satisfaction, anger and eating attitudes in college women. Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing. 2007. 13(4):327–335.
6. Choi Y.J. A study of women's body dissatisfaction due to exposure to mass media: Focusing on body dissatisfaction, diet and the approval with plastic surgery due to exposure to TV and magazines. 2005. Seoul: Sookmyung Women's National University;Unpublished master's thesis.
7. Fredrickson B.L., Roberts T. Objectification theory: Toward understanding women's lived experiences and mental health risks. Psychology of Women Quarterly. 1997. 21:173–206.
8. Fredrickson B.L., Roberts T., Noll S.M., Quinn D.M., Twenge J.M. That swimsuit becomes you: Sex differences in self-objectification, restrained eating, and math performance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1998. 75(1):269–284.
9. Gerber A.F. Trauma, culture and disordered eating. 2005. Boston: University of Massachusetts;Unpublished doctoral dissertation.
10. Hahn O.S., Yoo H.J., Kim C.Y., Lee C., Min B.K., Park I.H. The epidemiology and personality characteristics of eating disorder in Korea. Korean Journal of Psychopathology. 1990. 15(4):270–287.
11. Hart E.A., Leary M.R., Rejeski W.J. The measurement of social physique anxiety. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. 1989. 11:94–104.
12. Jang H.S. The effect of mass media on body perception and state esteem of body image. Unpublished master's thesis. 2004. Seoul: Ewha Womans University.
13. Jeong J.H. A study on sex role attitude of daughter by mother's. 1983. Seoul: Sookmyung Women's University;Unpublished master's thesis.
14. Lee E.J. Factors relating to social physique anxiety in adolescent girls. Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing. 2008. 14(2):93–103.
15. Lee E.J. Disordered eating symptoms and sociocultural factors in adolescent women. Studies on Korean Youth. 2009. 20(2):307–326.
16. Lee K.H., Kim S.Y., Chun K.J., Han S.K. The relationship between eating disorder and self-esteem in female college students. Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing. 2003. 9(4):390–399.
17. Lee S.S. The relationship between eating behavior and psychological factors in university women. Unpublished master's thesis. 1993. Seoul: Yonsei University.
18. Moradi B., Dirks D., Matteson A.V. Role of sexual objectification experiences and internalization of standards of beauty in eating disorder symptomatology: A test and Extension of objectification theory. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 2005. 52(3):420–428.
19. Morry M.M., Staska S.L. Magazine exposure: Internalization, self-objectification, eating attitudes, and body satisfaction in male and female university students. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science. 2001. 33(4):269–279.
20. Murnen S.H., Smolak L. Feminity, masculinity, and disordered eating: A meta-analytic review. The International Journal of Eating Disorders. 1997. 22:231–242.
21. Noll S.M., Fredrickson B.L. A meditational model linking self-objectification, body shame, and disordered eating. Psychology of Women Quarterly. 1998. 22:623–636.
22. Shin I.Y. A process that mass-media affects dieting and eating disorder of young women. Unpublished master's thesis. 1997. Chuncheon: Kangwon National University.
23. Slater A., Tiggemann M. A test of objectification theory in adolescent girls. Sex Roles. 2002. 46(9/10):343–349.
24. Son E.J. The influence of objectification experiences on women's mental health. Korean Journal of Woman Psychology. 2006. 11(4):399–417.
25. Tiggemann M., Lynch J.E. Body image across the life span in adult women: The role of self-objectification. Developmental Psychology. 2001. 37:243–253.
26. Tiggemann M, Slater A. A test of objectification in former dancers and non-dancers. Psychology of Women Quarterly. 2001. 25:57–64.
TOOLS
Similar articles