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Relationship Commitment and its Associations with Relationship Contingency, Body Surveillance, and Body Shame

Mariutto, Elizabeth
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1401304768

Abstract Details

2011, Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, Psychology.
Women are socialized to adopt a sexually-objectifying perspective toward their own bodies (self-objectification; Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) through monitoring their bodies habitually (body surveillance), leading them to experience greater body shame (Augustus-Horvath & Tylka, 2009). Recently, it has been suggested that relationship contingency and self-objectification variables may be further understood by introducing a third component: relationship commitment (i.e., Sanchez & Kwang, 2007). The current study investigated the role of relationship commitment, as a moderator of relationship contingency, as it predicts body shame, as mediated by body surveillance. This study utilized an undergraduate sample of 103 female students who had been in a relationship for at least one week. A combined mediational and moderational model of linear regression was used. Results indicated that body surveillance appears to mediate the relationship between relationship contingency and body shame. Relationship commitment neither had a main effect nor a moderating effect on body shame and body surveillance. However, relationship commitment was significantly negatively correlated with relationship contingency. This study was unable to explore differences between those of varying sexual orientations due to the small number of non-heterosexual participants, but found no racial differences in a small subsample. Future studies may aim to explore the applicability of this model to more diverse populations.
Christine M. Dacey, Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Chair)
Cathy McDaniels Wilson, Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Member)
W. Michael Nelson III, Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Member)
120 p.
Social Psychology
body image in women; monogamous relationships

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mariutto, E. (2011). Relationship Commitment and its Associations with Relationship Contingency, Body Surveillance, and Body Shame [Doctoral dissertation, Xavier University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1401304768

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mariutto, Elizabeth. Relationship Commitment and its Associations with Relationship Contingency, Body Surveillance, and Body Shame. 2011. Xavier University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1401304768.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mariutto, Elizabeth. "Relationship Commitment and its Associations with Relationship Contingency, Body Surveillance, and Body Shame." Doctoral dissertation, Xavier University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1401304768

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

xavier1401304768
269
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Xavier University Psychology and OhioLINK.