O papel do sentimento de nojo na experiência de auto-objetificação feminina e impacto no bem-estar subjetivo

Abstract

Objectification and consequent self-objectification are culturally promoted phenomena that generate a significant negative impact on women's life experience. Recently, the feeling of disgust towards specific characteristics of the female body has been explored as a promoter of negative perceptions and feelings associated with the self, considering that it is stimulated by the phenomenon of objectification. As such, this study aimed to analyze the role of disgust with different aspects of the female body (body hair, menstruation, fat) in the relationship between self-objectification and subjective well-being of 356 women, aged between 18 and 75 years (M = 27.95, SD = 10.63). The participants answered questionnaires that assessed the degree of self-objectification, feelings of disgust towards each of the characteristics studied, and subjective well-being. Finally, they answered an open-ended question regarding the positive aspects of the female experience. The results showed a negative correlation between self-objectification and subjective well-being, having verified the mediating role of the feeling of disgust in this relationship. The answers to the open-ended question supported the view that there is a high degree of objectification of the female body in our society. As such, it is important to continue to explore the negative impacts associated with the phenomenon of objectification for the female population, so that it is possible to develop measures to prevent them.

Date of Award	24 Nov 2022
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Rita Francisco (Supervisor)