Mediating Role of Self-Objectification between Emotional Maturity and Psychological Distress in Pakistani Women

Abstract

Objective: The present research intended to find the association among emotional maturity, selfobjectification, and psychological distress in Pakistani women. It also aimed to investigate the mediating role of self-objectification between emotional maturity and psychological distress. Study Design: Correlational research. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Clinical Psychology, Riphah Institute of Clinical and Professional Psychology Lahore, Pakistan from March 2020 to June 2020. Methods: A sample of 153 women was recruited from all over Pakistan and data was collected through an online Google Forms link. The emotional maturity scale, objectified body consciousness scale, depression anxiety stress scale, and demographic sheet were used for assessing the target study variables. Conclusion: Findings revealed that emotional maturity and self-objectification were significantly positively correlated with psychological distress. It was observed that emotional maturity predicts psychological distress (depression, anxiety, stress). Whereas, the self-objectification subscale (body shame) predicts psychological distress (stress). Moreover, body shame mediates the relationship between emotional maturity and psychological distress (stress).

Keywords

• body image, mental health, psychological maturity, psychological distress, stress, self-concept