Self-Objectification and the Use of Body Image Coping Strategies: The Role of Shame in Highly Physically Active Women

Abstract

Abstract We investigated the mediating role of body shame in the relationship between self-objectification and body image coping strategies in highly physically active university women. bivariate correlations revealed body shame was positively related to self- objectification, appearance fixing, and avoidance coping but unrelated to positive rational acceptance. in addition, self- objectification was positively related to appearance fixing and avoidance coping but unrelated to positive rational acceptance. Mediation analyses showed that body shame partially mediated the relationship between self-objectification and avoidance and appearance fixing coping but did not mediate the relationship between self-objectification and positive rational acceptance. future research should examine other potential mediators or moderators in this relationship and explore the role of positive body image framed within self-objectification theory.