Rationale for the Current Study

While the media are often blamed for the influence of eating disordered behaviour (Gowers & Shore, 2001; Groesz et al., 2002; Levine et al., 1996; Posavac,

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Posavac, & Weigel, 2001) it solely fails to explain why some individuals are

vulnerable to social pressures yet others are not. Furthermore, while the majority of women report body dissatisfaction to some extent, not all women partake in

disordered eating practices. Various researchers have explored feministic attitudes and body dissatisfaction in terms of eating disordered behaviour (Alyn & Becker, 1984; Ossana, Helms, & Leonard, 1992; Prochaska & Norcross, 1999; Sabik & Tylka, 2006), however to date these studies have failed to explore the impact of feminist identity on the self, sense of self and social identity.

Research (Cash, Winstead, & Janda, 1986; Grogan, 1999; Hetherington & Burnett, 1994; Paxton & Phythian, 1998; Tiggemann, 2004) validated that women of all ages experience internalisation of social discourses and related body

dissatisfaction, yet few studies have included women greater than 25 years of age within their samples in measuring eating disordered behaviour (Allaz, Bernstein, Rouget, Archinard, & Morabia, 1998; Cash & Henry, 1995; Garner, 1997; Stevens & Tiggemann, 1998; Tiggemann & Lynch, 2001).

To date, a small number of studies have supported theoretical links between the internalisation of the objectified gaze and adverse well-being. McKinley and Hyde (1996) have argued that the internalisation of the objectified gaze leads women to view their body with an externalised lens, experience shame, and believe that their body appearance should be controlled. Thus greater exploration of women‟s sense of self, objectification and body consciousness in terms of body dissatisfaction and eating disordered behaviour are needed across a larger age group to ascertain what factors are likely to influence eating disordered behaviour in women.

1.4.1 Aims and Hypotheses. The current study aimed to contribute to

previous research and explore an overview of the way in which women objectify their bodies with relation to their identity and sense of self, through body dissatisfaction, and dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviour. This will be achieved through a quantitative study, using a self report survey to evaluate whether there is any

significant predictive relationship between identity development, objectification, body dissatisfaction and dysfunctional/pathological eating behaviour. Any comments received from subjects will be analysed using thematic analysis with consideration of the discourse presenting.

BMI level and age will be used as additional factors to ascertain whether one‟s body weight in contrast to their height affects their perception of poor body image,

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dissatisfaction and eating disordered behaviour. Given that the study attempts to explore women‟s body dissatisfaction across the lifespan, it is therefore important to ascertain whether aging women share concern in body dissatisfaction, and further, identify if a relationship exists between age, BMI level, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating behaviour. The correlation between current weight and ideal weight will also be explored to ascertain whether discrepancies between these two factors would result in increased body dissatisfaction. A further variable to be considered will include sense of belongingness. This variable is aimed to measure one‟s perception of feeling accepted within friendships and society‟s framework.

Due to the correlation between disordered eating and silencing behaviour within clinical observation, silencing behaviour will be assessed using the silencing of self scale, and contrasted against other variables. The silencing behaviour variable is composed of 4 subscales which specifically measure different components of

silencing behaviour. Given that silencing behaviour has not been commonly measured in previous studies, each of the 4 subscales were measured individually and

collectively to ascertain specific attributes of silencing behaviour and maladaptive eating patterns. Additional protective factors which are associated with vulnerabilities to dysfunctional eating behaviour will also be examined.

The primary hypothesis suggests that women who have strongly based their identity according to societal values and expectations, and adopted a role of passivity and silence with regard to their perception of femininity and gender role ideals, are those who are more likely to experience high levels of body dissatisfaction and are at greater risk of manifesting disordered eating behaviour. Subsidiary questions relating to the hypothesis suggest:

 Those women who fail to have a sense of self tend to experience more body dissatisfaction, as compared to those who clearly identify sense of self. This as a variable is defined as a sense of belongingness.

 Women who present with passive behaviour are more likely to internalise negative self perceptions regarding their identity and at greater risk of eating disordered behaviour

 Women who engage in higher levels of sociocultural attitudes toward appearance are more likely to experience body objectification and hence greater levels of body dissatisfaction

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 A correlation would exist between age in women and level of body dissatisfaction, sociocultural attitude toward appearance, sense of belongingness, and one‟s desire to conform to feminine norms  Women who feel they should conform highly to feminine norms may

experience higher levels of body objectification and possibly experience greater levels of body dissatisfaction

 Higher levels of BMI in women would correlate with higher levels of body dissatisfaction.

 A correlation would exist between BMI level in women and sociocultural attitude toward appearance, sense of belongingness, and one‟s desire to conform to feminine norms

 A wider discrepancy between women‟s current weight and ideal weight would result in increased body dissatisfaction.

 Women who are highly dissatisfied with their bodies, would be at greater risk of engaging in disordered eating behaviours as a means of weight loss and possibly a means to achieve satisfaction and a sense of control.