A Test of Objectification Theory with Lesbian and Heterosexual Women

Extant research has garnered support for objectification theory, a model of women's body image that indirectly links sexual objectification to eating disorder symptomatology. The purpose of the study was to investigate the applicability of objectification theory to lesbian women. A sample of 181 lesbian women and 196 heterosexual women were recruited through college campuses. Measures for sexual objectification, self-objectification, body shame, appearance anxiety, interoceptive awareness and disordered eating were administered. The results provided evidence that the present model of objectification theory does not hold for lesbian women.