SELF-OBJECTIFICATION AND BODY SHAME: A STUDY ABOUT APPEARANCE ANXIETY AMONG PAKISTANI STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS

Abstract Objectives. The presented study was aimed to examine self-objectification and body shame in relation to appearance anxiety among college students participating in sports (N=300). Method. The sample included students of Rawalpindi and Islamabad colleges including both sectors government and private colleges as well as both genders, male (N=150) and female college students (N=150). The self-objectification was assessed through The Surveillance subscale of Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (McKinley & Hyde, 1996), appearance anxiety through Appearance Anxiety Scale brief version (Dion, Dion & Keelan, 1990) and body shame with the help of Body Shame Subscale, of Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (McKinely & Hyde, 1996). Results. The study found significant positive correlation between self-objectification and body shame, self-objectification and appearance anxiety. The body shame and appearance anxiety were also found to be positively related with each other. The self-objectification was also found to be predictor of body shame and appearance anxiety among the respondents. Conclusion. The findings indicate that experiencing self-objectification is directly linked with body shame and appearance anxiety. The study would be helpful in examining self-objectification, appearance anxiety and body shame on other samples. Keywords: Self-objectification, Appearance Anxiety, Body Shame