Can Self-Esteem Protect Against Negative Ramifications of Self-Objectification in Men and Women?

The purpose of this study was to test whether or not increased self-esteem can protect against negative consequences of self-objectification. Specifically, a quasi-experimental design, utilizing self-esteem and self-objectification manipulation, was employed to test the extent to which self-esteem can serve as a buffer against negative emotions (e.g., shame), negative appearance evaluation, an appearance orientation, and decreased cognitive performance among males (n = 138) and females (n = 132). Participants (n = 270) were physically active individuals with a mean age of 24.22 years (SD = 8). State self-esteem was manipulated by providing false feedback about their facial appearance and having students write a short essay about their favorite or least favorite body parts. State self-objectification was manipulated by having participants wear tight or baggy clothes, while looking at themselves in a mirror. Findings showed main effects for appearance evaluation and appearance orientation, such that females were more satisfied with their appearance than males, and males placed more importance on their physical appearance compared to females. Although none of the interaction effects for state self-objectification were significant, some approached statistical significance. The interactions for state self-objectification included (1) gender and self-esteem manipulation, and (2) gender and self-esteem manipulation and state self-objectification manipulation. Interaction effects of state shame and appearance evaluation of gender and self-objectification were also significant. Although the findings of the present study are mixed on many accounts, they present numerous venues for future research to examine the nature of self-objectification experiences within/between males and females.