This study investigated the factors influencing body-image depression among 952 Chinese senior high school students, with particular focus on the moderating role of physical education learning engagement. The results demonstrated that online interpersonal sexual objectification experiences significantly predicted students’ self-objectification tendencies. Self-objectification exerted a significant effect on body-image depression, with a notable mediating effect observed between these variables. Furthermore, physical education learning engagement has a significant negative moderating mediation effect on the indirect relationship between online interpersonal sexual objectification experience, self-objectification, and body image depression. Based on these findings, targeted recommendations are proposed to foster the psychological well-being of senior high school students.
Zhou et al. (Thu,) studied this question.