Body image : the influence that the media has on self-objectification across women of different ages

Abstract

This study investigates the influence that the media has on self objectification across women of different ages. The issue of body dissatisfaction and the effects that the media has on this, is a growing concern among women today. There was a total of 202 participants who took part in this research; 153 younger women and 49 older women. This research used three questionnaires to gather the necessary information; The Revised Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (Quinn & Lewis, 2005), Self Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965) and a Media Influence Scale. The analysis revealed that older women are more affected by body surveillance than younger women. Older women obtained higher mean scores for body surveillance, control levels, body shame and for self-esteem than younger women. The analysis also revealed that there was no significant relationship between body image and self-esteem. Finally the research revealed that contrary to what was predicted there was no significant correlation between body surveillance and media influence. Author keywords: Body image, media