Abstract
Self-objectification and social physique anxiety (SPA) were investigated in relation to exercise behaviors. A theoretical model was developed that viewed SPA as a mediating variable between self-objectification and protective/ permissive exercise behaviors. Two hundred and ninety nine women within the age range of 18-74 participated in this study. They completed the Self-Objectification Questionnaire (SOQ), the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS), the Objectified Body Consciousness Scales (OBCS), and an exercise behavior survey. A moderate positive correlation was obtained between self-objectification and SPA. It has also been revealed that self-objectification decreases with age. Women that were high and low in self-objectification were found to have different exercise behaviors. Women low in objectification reported exercising more frequently each week, wearing more concealing exercise apparel, and preferring outdoors exercise locations when compared to women low in objectification, who preferred public facilities. A trend was also observed between the women on cardio-machine participation, with women high in objectification reporting more participation. The first model proposing self-objectification influenced protective/permissive exercise behaviors both directly and indirectly via SPA was supported overall. The only significant path, however, was from self-objectification to SPA. Protective/permissive exercise behaviors were unable to be predicted from either self-objectification directly, or via the mediating role of SPA. Similarly, the model involving objectified body consciousness, comprised of the variables of surveillance and shame, was supported overall. Again, however, the only path found to be significant was from objectified body consciousness to SPA. The protective/permissive exercise behaviors either directly or indirectly via SPA lacked support. Previous research has been extremely limited to compare self-objectification and exercise, and this study was further able to support the potential importance and impact the theory may have with exercise, especially with regards to women. This study also reaffirms the relationship between self-objectification and SPA, and pushes for further understanding of how the two theories interact as well as of issues involving health, the body and exercise.
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