Relationship Between Family Environment, Objectified Body Consciousness and Appearance Self-Esteem Among Urban Indian Young Adults
subject: Appearance self-esteem; Body perception; Family environment; Objectified body consciousness; Self-construal
description: Extant research has shown that objectification, especially sexual objectification, can encourage the internalization of others perspective on their own bodies and thereby transforming their own self into object of continuous assessment and judgement. Using the objectification theory and theories of identity formation, the present research examines how family environment (FE) and objectified body consciousness (OBC) may have a relation with appearance self esteem (ASE) among urban Indian young adults. Based on previous literature, it was hypothesized that OBC and FE would have a significant association with ASE. To examine the hypotheses, a survey was conducted on young adults (N = 141) of age range from 18 to 25years. Regression analysis was carried out using statistical tools. Multiple-linear regression showed that the model was found to account for a statistically significant amount of variance in ASE. The results point out how OBC has a negative relationship with ASE. This implies that the level to which one objectifies themselves negatively relates to how they value their appearance or looks. The present research discusses the implication of understanding the different factors which may be associated with low appearance-related self-esteem. The research also explains the findings in line with cultural underpinnings. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2026.
creator: Ramesh, Preethy Niveditha; Roy, Shreyasi
source: Sexuality and Culture;
publisher: Springer
date: 01-01-2026
rights: Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
relation: ISSN: 10955143;
format: online
language: English
type: Article
coverage: Ramesh P.N., Department of Psychology, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India, School of Education, University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Roy S., Department of Psychology, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India