The Role of Self-Objectification in Women's Sexual Functioning

The study aimed to test the model proposed by objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) as it applies to women's sexual functioning. A sample of 116 women completed questionnaire measures of self-objectification, its proposed consequences, relationship satisfaction, and sexual functioning. In accord with the predictions of the theory, self-objectification was related to body shame and appearance anxiety, which were in turn related to self-consciousness during sexual activity and to decreased sexual functioning. Women in an exclusive relationship reported less self-consciousness during sexual activity than women not in a relationship. For the former group, satisfaction with their relationship emerged as the major predictor of sexual functioning. It was concluded that objectification theory provides a useful framework for furthering our understanding of female sexual function.