Graduation Term

2020

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Department of Psychology: Clinical-Counseling Psychology

Committee Chair

Marla Reese-Weber

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between childhood sexual abuse (CSA), self-objectification, and risk recognition in a sample of freshman, college women. Self-objectification was expected to interfere with the ability to readily identify risk (risk appraisal) and respond effectively (risk response), particularly for survivors of CSA. Participants were 335 freshman women ages 18 to 25, with 47.8% reporting a history of CSA. Participants completed an online survey that assessed demographics, abuse history, and indicators of self-objectification (body surveillance, body shame, and appearance anxiety). Participants also completed a task to assess risk recognition which included reading a sexually risky scenario ending in sexual assault. A series of correlations, t-tests, and mediation analyses were performed to examine the relationship between these variables. Self-objectification was found to significantly mediate the relationship between CSA and risk recognition, with specific aspects of self-objectification being related to specific aspects of risk recognition.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

DOI

http://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2020.Coventry.M

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