Objectification theory : examining the relation between self-objectification and flow for college-aged women athletes
"This study examined the theoretical relation of self-objectification and flow. Objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) posits that the experience of self-objectification is related to less experiences of flow, a peak motivational state. One-hundred forty-three women student athletes participating in fourteen sports, from two universities participated in the study. Sport type with relation to appearance focus rating (Parsons & Betz, 2001) was examined as a possible risk factor for increased experience of self-objectification and decreased experience of flow. A focus of this study was accurate assessment of the self-objectification and flow variables. Self-objectification was assessed using two measures the Objective Body Consciousness Surveillance subscale (McKinley & Hyde, 1996) and the Self-Objectification Questionnaire (Noo & Fredrickson, 1998). A multidimensional scale, the Dispositional Flow Scale (DFS-2; Jackson & Eklund, 2002) was used to tap the nine individual dimensions of flow and a global flow dimension. Appearance focus rating of sport type was tested as a moderator in the relation between self-objectification and flow. Trait anxiety measured by the STAI (Spielberger, 1983) was explored as a covariate in the relation between self-objectification and flow. Support was found for the hypothesized relation between self-objectification and flow. The hypothesis was tested by a series of Pearson Product Moment correlations. Self-objectification as measured by OBCS Surveillance subscale related negatively and significantly to all but two of the DFS-2 scores. The pattern of results related to the examination of the SOQ and flow reflected the predicated negative relation, but only one correlation was significant. Correlations between trait anxiety and both self-objectification and flow were significant. When anxiety was controlled, many of the previously significant relations between flow and self-objectification were reduced to non-significance. The appearance focus sport type rating was not a significant predictor. Increased appearance focus of a sport did not relate positively to increased self-objectification or to decreased experience of flow. The exploratory examination of the relation between the internalization of beauty standards as measured by the SATAQ (Heinberg, Thompson, & Stormer, 1995) and both measures of self-objectification were supported. The importance of this preliminary and focused examination of self-objectification is discussed."--Abstract
Thesis, Dissertation, English, 2006
University of Akron, Akron, OH, 2006
University of Akron, Dept. of Psychology-Counseling Psychology