CLINGING TO OBJECTIFICATION: BODY IMAGE CONTROL AND PROBLEMATIC INTERNET USE AS DETERMINANTS OF OBJECTIFIED BODY CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN MULTAN

Abstract

This research investigated the underlying dynamics of intensified self-objectification among young, educated female university students. A quantitative research design was used to collect data from N=378 female university students. The tool was designed by deductively deriving indicators from objectification theory and was further analyzed using SPSS version 21. Means, standard deviations, and hierarchical linear regression were used to examine the relationship among the study variables. The analysis showed that demographic variables, including age, currently enrolled educational program, family size, and family type, were significant and positively associated with objectified body consciousness of female students. Furthermore, body image control and problematic internet usage explained 27% of the variance in defining the objectified body consciousness among the female university students. Increasing media literacy, conducting awareness sessions, and providing psychological support can reduce young students’ focus on their physical appearance.