The Relationship between Self-Objectification, Appearance Anxiety and Psychological Well-Being among Female University Students In Malaysia

Self-objectification, a process in which individuals internalise an external observer's opinion of their bodies, has been related to negative psychological effects in the face of increasing social and media demands to adhere to idealised beauty standards.This study investigates the relationships between self-objectification, appearance anxiety, and psychological well-being among female university students in Malaysia during the critical developmental stage of emerging adulthood which falls from 18 to 25 years old.In the current study, a descriptive correlational design was used and 128 participants completed validated scales measuring self-objectification (SOBBS), appearance anxiety (AAS), and psychological well-being (RPWBS).Data were analysed using Pearson correlation and independent samples t-tests via SPSS Version 29.Results revealed a significant, moderately strong positive correlation between self-objectification and appearance anxiety (r = .601,p < .001),and a weak but significant negative correlation between self-objectification and psychological wellbeing (r = -.233,p = .008).However, no significant differences were found between local and international students across the three variables.These findings support the applicability of Objectification Theory in the Malaysian context and suggest that body image concerns are pervasive across cultural backgrounds due to globalised beauty norms.The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of appearance-based pressures.While limitations include reliance on self-report data and a cross-sectional design, the findings contribute valuable insights into promoting mental well-being and healthier self-perceptions among young women in higher education.