PSYCHOSOCIAL-ASPECTS OF FEMALE TOPLESS BEHAVIOR ON AUSTRALIAN BEACHES

Scripting theory was used to develop a psychosocial understanding of f emale topless behavior on Australian public beaches. The major objecti ves of this exploratory study were to (a) obtain descriptive data abou t female topless behavior and (b) determine predictor variables of fem ale topless behavior. Female psychology students (N = 116) attending M acquarie University in Sydney, Australia, completed questionnaires. Ab out half the women had been topless at a public beach. Those who had e ver gone topless were less likely to believe that going topless was se xual, had more permissive sexual attitudes, attended church less often , had a more favourable attitude to going topless, believed that the c ommunity approved of topless behaviour, believed that significant othe rs were approving of topless behavior, and had higher self-esteem and higher body image. In two stepwise regression models, the sexual attit udes of the women were the best predictor of topless behavior. The stu dy has potential policy implications in that there is an ongoing debat e in many parts of North America about whether female toplessness shou ld be permitted at public beaches. The data, particularly with regard to the sexuality dimensions, could provide useful insights in enlighte ning participants in this debate.