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1981
Volume 10, Issue 4
  • ISSN: 2050-0726
  • E-ISSN: 2050-0734

Abstract

This study was designed to provide empirical evidence of the internalization of sexualized female ideals influenced by media and to examine the effect of the internalization on body shame. An online questionnaire was created and a total of 302 women completed the questionnaire. Structural equation modelling was conducted to test the hypothesized causal relationships from media influence to the internalization of sexualized ideals (i.e. holding a narrow view of attractiveness and endorsing the notion that women should be sexually attractive) and, next, from the internalization of sexualized ideals to body shame. The results showed that the more women internalized media ideals, the more women (1) hold the narrow view of female attractiveness that equates physical attractiveness with sexual appeal and (2) endorsed the notion that women should be sexually attractive. The internalization of a narrow view of attractiveness was a significant mediator that led from media influence to body shame. Although women endorsed the notion that women should be sexually attractive, it did not necessarily lead to body shame.

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2023-09-25
2026-04-22

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