2 - (SYM 81) Body Surveillance for Safety: A Multi-method Investigation of Eating Disorder Symptomology in Gender Diverse Adults

Introduction: Gender diverse individuals (e.g., nonbinary, and gender queer individuals) have higher rates of eating disorder symptomology (EDS) compared to binary cisgender individuals (Diemer et al., 2018; Heiden‑Rootes et al., 2023). Objectification theory suggests that objectification experiences and harassment may partially explain higher rates of EDS, through body shame and body surveillance (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997; Moradi, 2013). This may be particularly important for gender diverse individuals as they experience higher rates of bias-based harassment (e.g., Jones et al., 2018; Kosciw et al., 2020). However, research in gender diverse populations suggests that body surveillance may not operate as suggested by traditional objectification theory (e.g., Brewster et al., 2019). The current study sought to investigate this further in a majority gender queer and nonbinary sample.

Method: In Study 1, we investigated the relationship between different types of harassment, body shame and surveillance, and EDS. In Study 2, through qualitative survey methodology, we investigated why individuals engage in body surveillance and how body and eating concerns may be informed by body ideals. Gender diverse individuals, N = 88, were recruited through online and in-person queer friendly spaces (Mage = 28.70; 69% White, 7% Latine, 14% another race or ethnicity, 10% preferred to self-describe/not report).

Results: In Study 1, higher rates of sexual, weight-based, and heterosexist harassment victimization predicted more EDS, through body shame, ps < .05. However, this was not moderated by body surveillance. In Study 2, qualitative thematic analyses (Braun & Clark, 2019) suggested that participants engaged in body surveillance for a host of reasons, but many discussed a desire to appear androgynous. When asked to describe this androgynous ideal, it was mainly characterized as thin and not having traditionally feminine characteristics. Participants also described engaging in body surveillance when thinking about their gender presentation and whether it was safe in certain circumstances. They specifically discussed being verbally harassed and physically attacked. Engaging in EDS to achieve androgyny was also discussed.

Discussion: Taken together, results suggest that (1) harassment predicts EDS and EDS may be utilized to avoid future harassment, (2) safety concerns are an important component of body surveillance for gender diverse individuals, and (3) the androgynous ideal centers thinness and a lack of “feminine” characteristics.