Abstract
Social self-preservation theory (SSPT) proposes that social-evaluative threats elicit psychological (e.g., shame) and physiological (e.g., cortisol) outcomes. SSPT research has suggested that the amount of social-evaluative threat can impact psychobiological responses. This study investigated the impact of the amount of social-evaluative threat on psychobiological responses in a body image context. Women (N=120) were randomized into a control (quiet rest), or one of two threat conditions: (individual-threat: one researcher present; or group-threat: six or more people). Threat groups believed they would be completing a body fat composition assessment while wearing provided clothing (sports bra and spandex shorts). Participants completed measures of social physique anxiety (SPA), body shame and provided samples of saliva to assess cortisol levels at baseline and following their condition. Results indicated that there was a significant group-by-time interaction for psychological variables (overall: F(4,240)=7.81, p<0.001, np2=0.12, shame: F(2,120)=11.57, p<0.001, np2=0.16, SPA: F(2,120)=8.04, p=0.001, np2=0.12). For both threat-conditions, shame and SPA were higher following the threat. Between group comparisons at post-threat indicated that the threat-groups had higher shame and SPA compared to the control group. For cortisol, a significant group-by-time interaction was found (F(2,119)=3.33, p<0.05, np2=0.05). Cortisol levels were unchanged for the individual-threat condition, while cortisol levels decreased from baseline to post-threat for the control and group-threat conditions. Findings with respect to the psychological response support SSPT. Our findings also suggest that the amount of social-evaluative threat does not influence cortisol responses to an anticipated social-evaluative body image threat.Acknowledgments: This research was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council