title: Self-objectification and depression: an integrative systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Objectification Theory positions self-objectification as a cause of depression. In particular, the authors offer Objectification Theory as a partial explanation for the higher prevalence of depression among women than men. To investigate the validity of this theory, we undertook a systematic review of quantitative studies that have investigated self-objectification as a predictor of depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were identified by searching the PsycINFO, Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases. Search terms were 'objectif⁎' OR 'body conscious⁎' AND 'depressi⁎' OR 'dysthymi⁎' OR 'mood disorder'. To be eligible, studies were required to be in the English-language, to include a measure of depression and a measure of self-objectification. Studies were excluded if they did not explicitly examine the association between these variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among women most studies found a mediated effect for self-objectification on depression. All studies including adolescents found a direct effect. Each of the two prospective longitudinal studies found that an increase in self-objectification over time was associated with a concomitant increase in depression, suggesting a causal relationship. Among men the results were mixed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The review did not include a quantitative synthesis due to the heterogeneity of the included observational studies. The majority of the studies were cross-sectional precluding conclusions concerning causality. Generalisations to culturally and linguistically diverse populations must be made with caution given the limited cultural diversity within the studies
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-objectification may be a useful predictor of depression, particularly among women and adolescents, and may have clinical relevance among these populations.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Building 63, Eggleston Road, 2601 ACT, Australia. Electronic address: bethany.jones@anu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Bethany A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Building 63, Eggleston Road, 2601 ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept
keywords: Depression; Self-objectification; Systematic review