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Integrating Social Comparison Theory and Self-Esteem within Objectification Theory to Predict Women’s Disordered Eating

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Abstract

This study integrated social comparison theory and self-esteem into the objectification theory framework to broaden our understanding of sexual objectification as it relates to body shame and disordered eating. Women (N = 274) from a Midwestern U.S. college completed measures of sexual objectification via appearance feedback, body surveillance, body shame, body comparison, self-esteem, and disordered eating. Structural equation modeling indicated that this expanded model fit the data. Appearance feedback predicted body surveillance, body comparison, self-esteem and—unexpectedly—disordered eating. Body surveillance, body comparison, and self-esteem predicted body shame. Furthermore, hierarchical moderated regression revealed that body comparison moderated the body surveillance—disordered eating link; women who frequently monitored their body and compared it to others’ bodies reported the highest disordered eating.

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  1. Natalie J. Sabik

    Present address: Women’s Studies, University of Michigan, 204 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

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  1. Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, 1465 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Marion, OH, 43302, USA

    Tracy L. Tylka & Natalie J. Sabik

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Correspondence to Tracy L. Tylka.

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This article is based on Natalie J. Sabik's senior honors thesis completed under the direction of Tracy L. Tylka at the Ohio State University.

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Tylka, T.L., Sabik, N.J. Integrating Social Comparison Theory and Self-Esteem within Objectification Theory to Predict Women’s Disordered Eating. Sex Roles 63, 18–31 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-010-9785-3

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