About this paper symposium

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Panel information
Panel 19. Sex, Gender

Paper #1
The Moderating Role of Body Talk on the Relationship Between Gender Identity and Body Image
Author information	Role
Mithra H. Pirooz, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States	Presenting author
Felicia Meyer, Collège André-Grasset, Canada	Non-presenting author
Jonathan Bruce Santo, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States	Non-presenting author
William M. Bukowski, Concordia University, Canada	Non-presenting author
Abstract
Introduction Upon reaching puberty, early adolescents often experience a decrease in self-esteem, commonly linked to perceptions of their physical appearance and body image. At the same time, according to the gender intensification hypothesis, social pressures to conform to gender roles increase, particularly for girls. Not surprisingly, girls may report a less favorable body image than boys. However, other factors related to gender identity (i.e., gender contentedness, gender typicality, and felt pressure to conform to gender norms) impact body image as well. Furthermore, pressures to conform to gender norms or certain body ideals may be communicated through body talk. Therefore, we examined these aspects of gender identity as predictors of body image, with body talk among peers, same-gender friends, and other-gender friends as moderators of these relationships. Method Participants were 183 early adolescents (Mage = 11.05, SDage = 5.03; 49% girls) in Montréal, Québec, Canada, who responded to self-report questionnaires regarding their body image (α = .91), gender contentedness (α = .69), gender typicality (α = .67), and felt pressure to conform to gender norms (α = .77), as well as body talk they engaged in with peers (α = .82), girl friends (α = .84), and boy friends (α = .88). Same-gender and other-gender friend talk were determined by matching participants’ own genders to girl friend and boy friend body talk. Results A hierarchical regression predicting body image was performed with gender contentedness, gender typicality, and felt pressure added in the first block. Gender contentedness emerged as a significant positive predictor, while felt pressure was a marginally significant negative predictor. Significant amounts of additional variance were accounted for by body talk with peers in the second block (ΔR2 = .34) and same-gender friends in the third block (ΔR2 = .06), but not by body talk with other-gender friends in the final block (ΔR2 = .02). In total, 50% of the variance in body image was explained. Notably, while gender typicality alone was not a significant predictor, the interaction of same-gender friend body talk on the relationship between gender typicality and body image was significant. More specifically, lower gender typicality was associated with a less favorable body image, though engaging in less body talk with same-gender friends served as a buffer against this effect. Conclusions The findings indicate that multiple aspects of gender identity and body talk should be considered when examining body image among early adolescents. Rather than merely looking at gender differences in body image, future research should consider aspects including gender contentedness, gender typicality, and pressure to conform to gender norms. Additionally, the significant amounts of unique variance in body image explained by body talk with peers and same-gender friends suggest that the degree to which adolescents engage in body talk should be considered, as well as the people with whom they are talking. Importantly, limiting body talk with same-gender friends may serve as a protective factor against the effect of gender typicality on body image.

Paper #2
Understanding Gender Identity and Social Competence in Relation to Body Image and Socioemotional Well-Being
Author information	Role
Mary Grace Tisko, University of Nebraska At Omah, United States	Presenting author
Felicia Meyer, Collège André-Grasset, Canada	Non-presenting author
Jonathan Bruce Santo, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States	Non-presenting author
William M. Bukowski, Corcordia University, Canada	Non-presenting author
Abstract
Dimensions of body image (e.g., body dissatisfaction) and gender identity (e.g., gender typicality, felt pressure for gender conformity) consistently predict socioemotional outcomes, such as self-esteem and depression. The socialization processes of these two constructs overlap considerably, resulting in gendered appearance ideals and expectations. A failure to reach expectations may result in poor outcomes through a perceived lack of social incompetence. We set out to describe the complexity of these relationships. Specifically, we examined whether gender typicality and felt pressure for gender conformity moderated the relationships between body dissatisfaction and socioemotional outcomes (i.e., self-esteem, depression). We also tested whether social competence has an indirect effect on these relationships. Method A sample of 183 Canadian adolescents (49% girls; Mage = 11.05, SDage = 5.03) completed multiple paper-and-pen questionnaires assessing felt pressure for gender conformity (α = .77), gender typicality (α = .67), social competence (α = .86), depression (α = .79), and global self-worth (α = .84), and body dissatisfaction. Data were assessed using hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling in MPlus. Results Greater body dissatisfaction and felt pressure for gender conformity were to predict greater depression and lower global self-worth. In contrast, greater gender typicality predicted lower depression and higher global self-worth. Regarding global self-worth, the interaction between body dissatisfaction and felt pressure for gender conformity was significant (Figure 1). For those who felt a higher pressure for gender conformity, body dissatisfaction had less of an influence on global self-worth. Thus, those who were satisfied with their body and those who were dissatisfied with their bodies had comparable levels of global self-worth. In contrast, for those who felt a lower pressure for gender conformity, low body dissatisfaction more strongly predicted higher global self-worth. The final model (Figure 2) had an acceptable fit to the data, χ2(2) = 2.58, p > .05; CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = .04, SRMR = .01. The indirect effect of social competence fully explained the relationship between body dissatisfaction and depression, such that the relationship was no longer significant. Thus, children who are dissatisfied with their bodies experience higher levels of depression because they view themselves as being less socially competent. In contrast, the indirect effect of social competence partially explained the relationships between body dissatisfaction and global self-worth. Thus, children dissatisfied with their bodies report lower levels of global self-worth, partially because they view themselves as less socially competent. Gender differences will be discussed. Discussion Overall, these results demonstrate that children with strict standards of appearance and gender experience poorer socioemotional outcomes. For example, children with strict standards of gender expression are at risk for a poorer sense of self-worth when they experience body dissatisfaction. Further, children who are dissatisfied with their bodies may view their appearance as a hinderance in their social competence. In turn, their lack of perceived social competence leads to poorer global self-worth and higher depression. Future research should continue to explicate the complex relationships between body image and gender and how the socialization of these constructs overlap.

Paper #3
Gender Identity and the Relationship Between Objectification and Body Image
Author information	Role
Dr. Sharla Dawn Biefeld, University of Alabama, United States	Presenting author
Abstract
Introduction Positive body image is a distinct construct from negative body image and is associated with health behaviors, such as using sun protection, intuitive eating, and seeking medical care (e.g., Andrew et al., 2014). Positive body image includes appreciation for one’s body and its functionality, as well as the ability to reframe negative body messaging (Daniels, 2018). Research on positive body image has mostly, with notable caveats, focused on cisgender populations; therefore, the field knows less about positive body image in transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals. Furthermore, past work suggests that TGNC individuals experience high rates of peer sexual and gender harassment (Kosciw et al., 2019). Objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) suggests that objectification-based harassment (OBH) may lead people to internalize that their value lies in how others view and can use them. Understanding the relationship between OBH and positive body image may be important for lessening mental health disparities, as cisgender girls report higher eating disorder symptoms than cisgender boys and TGNC individuals report higher eating disorders, depression and suicidality than their cisgender peers (Watson et al., 2017; Santoniccolo & Rollè, 2024). Method The current study investigated (1) gender differences in positive body image and (2) the relationship between OBH and positive body image. Late adolescents (N = 179), from 17-25, Modeage = 18, participated in an online study investigating body image. Results Results of an ANOVA indicated that TGNC adolescents reported the lowest functionality appreciation (FAS), compared to cisgender girls and boys, F (2,177) = 8.18, p =.003. However, all other positive body image aspects did not significantly differ. TGNC adolescents and girls also experienced the highest rates of OBH. To further explore this, we investigated the relationship between OBH and FAS. We hypothesized that this relationship would be mediated through body surveillance, which would be moderated by gender appearance congruence. Results suggest that when congruence was low more frequent OBH predicted lower body surveillance (index of moderated mediation = -.024). However, when congruence was medium or high, the effect was reversed; more OBH predicted higher body surveillance, which in turn predicted higher FAS. Conclusions Results from this study suggest that objectifying experiences may serve to increase some adolescents’ sense of their appearance aligning with their gender. Western culture’s sexual objectification of cisgender girls and fetishization of TGNC individuals may create an atmosphere were experiencing OBH and sexual harassment feels gender affirming, in that it reflects what is valued from others about your gender group (Anzani et al., 2021; Brewster et al., 2019). However, when gender congruence is average or high, OBH may increase anxiety and attention to one’s body (e.g., body surveillance). Although not directly measured in this study, higher rates of body surveillance may in turn relate to anxiety, reduced flow experiences, and eating disorders (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). Future research should investigate objectification experiences’ impact on mental health and consider the role of gender congruence.

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