Negotiating the Female-Athlete Paradox: Examining Gender Identity and Body Image

Abstract

This study examined the influence of gender identity and athletic identity on body image in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and II female athletes. One hundred and thirty female athletes took part in the study. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale, the Hoffman Gender Scale, the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale, and the Social Physique Anxiety Scale. Two regression analyses were conducted with the Social Physique Anxiety Scale and Objectified Body Consciousness Scale as criterion variables. The regression analyses revealed both full models predicted significant variance in the criterion variables. More specifically, after controlling for age and sport, athletic identity, and gender self-acceptance were found to be significant predictors of objectification and social physique anxiety scores.