The Role of Self-Esteem as a Buffer and Independent Predictor among Variables in Objectification Theory

Abstract

This study investigated the role of self-esteem as a buffer or moderator in the Objectification Theory framework, most specifically as a buffer or moderator of the relationship between sexual objectification and both body shame and body surveillance. The participants were 327 college students, all of whom were women, and were given self-report measures that measured self-esteem, sexual objectification and forms of self-objectification. The results of the study did not show support for the hypothesis that indicated the use of self-esteem as a buffer or moderator, but did find evidence that self-esteem can be seen as an independent predictor of body shame and body surveillance.

Advisor: Tracy L. Tylka