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Keigan J, De Los Santos B, Gaither SE, Walker DC. The relationship between racial/ethnic identification and body ideal internalization, hair satisfaction, and skin tone satisfaction in black and black/white biracial women. Body Image 2024; 50:101719. [PMID: 38788592 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Eurocentric physical characteristics, including a thin, tall physique, long straight hair, and fair skin, typify Western beauty standards. Past research indicates that for Black women, greater identification with one's racial/ethnic culture may buffer against internalizing Eurocentric beauty standards, specifically the thin ideal. Black/White Biracial women often experience different appearance pressures from each of their racial identity's sociocultural appearance ideals. Unfortunately, body image research is limited among Bi/Multiracial individuals. Participants were recruited online via Prime Panels, a high-quality data recruitment service provided by CloudResearch. Participants, M(SD)Age= 34.64 (12.85), self-reported their racial/ethnic identification, thin and thick/curvy ideal internalization, and hair and skin tone satisfaction. Using linear regression analyses, we assessed whether racial/ethnic identification buffered against monoracial Black (n = 317) and Black/White Biracial (n = 254) women's thin ideal internalization. Additionally, we assessed whether stronger racial/ethnic identity was associated with stronger thick/curvy ideal internalization and hair and skin tone satisfaction. Supporting hypotheses, greater racial/ethnic identification was associated with higher thick/curvy ideal internalization and hair and skin tone satisfaction among both Black and Biracial women. Contrary to hypotheses, greater racial/ethnic identification was not associated with lower thin ideal internalization in either group. Our results stress the need to use racially and culturally sensitive measurements of body image.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Keigan
- Union College, Department of Psychology, 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308, USA
| | - Bonelyn De Los Santos
- Union College, Department of Psychology, 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308, USA
| | - Sarah E Gaither
- Duke University, Department of Psychology, 417 Chapel Dr, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - D Catherine Walker
- Union College, Department of Psychology, 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308, USA.
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2
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Parker JE, Levinson JA, Hunger JM, Enders CK, Laraia BA, Epel ES, Tomiyama AJ. Longitudinal Stability of Disordered-Eating Symptoms From Age 12 to 40 in Black and White Women. Clin Psychol Sci 2023; 11:879-893. [PMID: 37694231 PMCID: PMC10488908 DOI: 10.1177/21677026221144253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to test the longitudinal association between disordered eating symptoms (body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness and bulimia) in adolescence (ages 12, 14, 16, 18, 19) and adulthood (age 40) in a sample of 883 white and Black women. We also investigated moderation by race. Adolescent symptoms at each time point significantly predicted adulthood symptoms for the body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness subscales, for both Black and white women. Bulimia symptoms in adolescence predicted symptoms in adulthood; however, the effect was largely driven by white women. Although moderation was non-significant, among white women, bulimia symptoms at all adolescent time points predicted adulthood bulimia, but among Black women, only symptoms at ages 18 and 19 were predictive of adulthood bulimia. Results suggest that both Black and white women are susceptible to disordered eating and that symptoms emerging in adolescence can potentially follow women into midlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan E Parker
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, 502 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jordan A Levinson
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, 502 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Hunger
- Miami University, Department of Psychology, 321 Psychology Building, Oxford, Ohio 45056, USA
| | - Craig K Enders
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, 502 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Barbara A Laraia
- University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, Division of Public Health Nutrition, 207B University Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
| | - Elissa S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, & Center for Health and Community, University of California, 3333 California St, Ste 465, San Francisco, CA, 94122
| | - A Janet Tomiyama
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, 502 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
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3
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Balogun-Mwangi O, Robinson-Wood TL, DeTore NR, Edwards George JB, Rodgers RF, Sanchez W. Body image and Black African women: A comparative study of Kenya and Nigeria. Body Image 2023; 45:331-342. [PMID: 37031617 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Very few cross-national studies on body image focus on Black African women. In this study, a comparative analytical approach and sociocultural theory framework was utilized in examining measures of body image among 209 Kenyan and Nigerian women aged 18-69 (M = 34.4, SD = 7.81). We examined both weight-related and non-weight-related aspects of appearance, including hair texture, skin tone, and other racialized features. The regional samples were compared on scores of internalized Eurocentric beauty ideals, skin color satisfaction, objectified body consciousness, racialized body image satisfaction, and other demographic metrics. Kenyan and Nigerian women showed differences across multiple body image measures. Nigerian women showed thinner body ideals compared to Kenyan women and also endorsed higher skin color satisfaction, racialized body dissatisfaction, and internalized Eurocentric beauty idealization. Kenyan women showed higher levels of objectified body consciousness. An indirect effect of nationality was observed with internalized Eurocentric beauty ideals mediating differences in racialized body dissatisfaction and objectified body shame. Attention to regional variation in appearance satisfaction may deepen understandings of the particular sociocultural influences impacting body image among populations of Black African women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tracy L Robinson-Wood
- Northeastern University, Department of Applied Psychology, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Nicole R DeTore
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA 02114, United States; Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | | | - Rachel F Rodgers
- Northeastern University, Department of Applied Psychology, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Lapeyronie University Hospital, Department of Psychiatric Emergency & Acute Care, CHRU Montpellier, France
| | - William Sanchez
- Northeastern University, Department of Applied Psychology, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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Wagner R, Singh S. Consumers' body image expressions: Reflection of a Snow White or an Evil Queen. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1097740. [PMID: 37008841 PMCID: PMC10064093 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1097740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe aim of this paper is to explore how minimal-self impacts the body image, projecting it as a reflection of one's approach toward their health and mental well-being.MethodsThe study takes qualitative data from two countries India and Germany and draws on a qualitative study of 20 individuals who are involved in some kind of physical activity for a long time. This paper examines the body image perspectives from Grimms Brothers fairytale characters showcasing fit and healthy perspectives on Snow White side and projected and superfluous perspectives on Evil Queen side. The study also provides a model deciphering the rationale for both the reflections.ResultsThe body image projection from Snow White perspectives (success & dedication, self-esteem, bodybuilding, and cosmetic surgery) relates to positive reflection of oneself with focus on fitness, discipline, and mental rejuvenation in life. Notably, Evil Queen perspectives (unrealistic makeover, dark side of social media, gain an edge over others, and mental benchmarking with fair skin) reveal these facets as motivators to equip their body as means of physical non-verbal communication assets.ConclusionAnalysis shows that there is no clear white or black view of health and fitness projection via body image but it's a gray line that gives wholesome fitness either a holistic mental peace or a competitive or success-oriented approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Wagner
- DMCC-Direct Marketing Competence Center, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ralf Wagner
| | - Swati Singh
- Marketing Department, Vivekanand Education Society's Institute of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai, India
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Sissoko DRG, Lewis JA, Nadal KL. It’s More Than Skin-Deep: Gendered Racial Microaggressions, Skin Tone Satisfaction, and Traumatic Stress Symptoms Among Black Women. JOURNAL OF BLACK PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/00957984221137957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the moderating effects of skin tone and skin tone satisfaction on the relations between gendered racial microaggressions and traumatic stress symptoms ( N = 237) among self-identified Black women between 18 and 50 years old. It was hypothesized that skin tone and skin tone satisfaction would moderate the relation between gendered racial microaggressions and traumatic stress, such that having a darker skin tone and lower levels of skin tone satisfaction would exacerbate the association between gendered racial microaggressions and traumatic stress symptoms. Results from two hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses indicated skin tone satisfaction significantly moderated the association between gendered racial microaggressions and traumatic stress symptoms, whereas skin tone did not. Findings suggest that skin tone satisfaction may play a bigger role in buffering or exacerbating the link between gendered racial microaggressions and mental health among Black women than skin tone alone. The results can inform future research and clinical practice on the important role of skin tone satisfaction in the link between gendered racial microaggressions and traumatic stress among Black women.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. R. Gina Sissoko
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Kevin L. Nadal
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY, USA
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Parker JE, Enders CK, Mujahid MS, Laraia BA, Epel ES, Tomiyama AJ. Prospective relationships between skin color satisfaction, body satisfaction, and binge eating in Black girls. Body Image 2022; 41:342-353. [PMID: 35551032 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Although it has been demonstrated that (a) body dissatisfaction and internalization of societal appearance standards contribute to disordered eating and (b) that internalization of societal appearance standards leads to decreased skin color satisfaction among Black women, it has not been established whether skin color dissatisfaction contributes to disordered eating among Black women or girls. The objective of the present study is to determine the influence of skin color satisfaction as a potential predictor for binge eating, and its effect through body image in Black girls during the vulnerable developmental period of adolescence. Using data from ten annual measurements in 1213 Black girls across ages 10-19, we sought to determine whether skin color satisfaction predicts Binge Eating Disorder (BED) risk and symptoms using pre-registered logistic and multilevel models. We found that lower skin color satisfaction at ages 13 and 14 significantly predicted greater odds of BED and lower skin color satisfaction at all ages predicted greater BED symptoms. Body satisfaction mediated the relationship between skin color satisfaction and BED symptoms. Our results suggest that skin color dissatisfaction is a novel component of body image for Black girls that is also related to binge eating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan E Parker
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, 502 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Craig K Enders
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, 502 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Mahasin S Mujahid
- University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, Haviland Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-7358, United States
| | - Barbara A Laraia
- University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, Division of Public Health Nutrition, 207B University Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
| | - Elissa S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, & Center for Health and Community, University of California, 3333 California St, Ste 465, San Francisco, CA 94122, United States
| | - A Janet Tomiyama
- University of California Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, 502 Portola Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States.
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Walker Gautier S. Black Beauty: Womanist Consciousness as a Protective Factor in Black Women’s Body Image Satisfaction. JOURNAL OF BLACK PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/00957984211034960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Black American women are exposed to mainstream beauty standards, which may have implications for body image satisfaction. Given that beauty standards are often based on idealized depictions of White women’s physical features, scholars have called for body image research that extends beyond body type/weight (e.g., skin tone/hair) to better examine the experiences of Black women. In examining body image satisfaction and protective factors (e.g., ethnic identity), empirical research has yet to attend to these experiences at the intersection of race/ethnicity and gender. An online survey was used to examine whether womanist consciousness (WC) was a protective factor for Black American women ( N = 211). Findings indicated that after controlling for ethnic identity, higher womanist consciousness significantly predicted higher body satisfaction with historically racially defined features (e.g., skin tone/hair) and lower self-ideal discrepancy. Darker skin tone was linked to higher body importance and higher ethnic identity level. Last, increased frequency of wearing hair weaves was associated with lower body satisfaction while more frequently wearing Afrocentric hair styles/textures was associated with higher body satisfaction.
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Beccia AL, Jesdale WM, Lapane KL. Associations between perceived everyday discrimination, discrimination attributions, and binge eating among Latinas: results from the National Latino and Asian American Study. Ann Epidemiol 2020; 45:32-39. [PMID: 32340835 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2020.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the study was to quantify the association between perceived everyday discrimination and binge eating among Latinas in the United States. METHODS Participants included 1014 Latinas from the 2002-2003 National Latino and Asian American Study. Modified Poisson models with robust standard errors were used to estimate sociodemographic-adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of binge eating associated with overall and attribution-specific discrimination. RESULTS Approximately 7% of Latinas reported binge eating. Increased frequency of discrimination was associated with a higher prevalence of binge eating (aPR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.23-2.06), and Latinas reporting frequencies of discrimination in the top tertile had the greatest prevalence elevation (aPR, 3.63; 95% CI, 1.32-10.00). There were important differences by discrimination attribution: Latinas experiencing primarily height/weight-based or skin color-based discrimination had the greatest prevalence elevation relative to those reporting no discrimination (aPR, 10.24; 95% CI, 2.95-35.51; and aPR, 8.83; 95% CI, 2.08-37.54, respectively), whereas Latinas reporting primarily race-based discrimination had the lowest prevalence elevation (aPR, 1.64; 95% CI, 0.47-5.69). CONCLUSIONS Discrimination may be an important social determinant of Latinas' binge eating. Future research should incorporate expanded conceptual models that account for Latinas' complex social environment, focusing on intersecting dimensions of identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel L Beccia
- Clinical and Population Health Research Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester; Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester.
| | - William M Jesdale
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester
| | - Kate L Lapane
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester
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Landor AM, McNeil Smith S. Skin-Tone Trauma: Historical and Contemporary Influences on the Health and Interpersonal Outcomes of African Americans. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2019; 14:797-815. [DOI: 10.1177/1745691619851781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Empirical evidence demonstrates that racism is a source of traumatic stress for racial/ethnic minorities, particularly African Americans. Like race and racism, skin tone and experiences of colorism—an often overlooked form of discrimination that privileges lighter skinned over darker skinned individuals, although not uniformly, may also result in traumatic stress. This article proposes a new conceptual model of skin-tone trauma. The model depicts how historical and contemporary underpinnings of colorism lead to colorist incidents that may directly and indirectly, by eliciting traumatic stress reactions, lead to negative effects on the health and interpersonal relationships of African Americans. Key tenets of critical race and intersectionality theories are used to highlight the complexities of skin-tone trauma as a result of intersectional identities on the basis of existing social hierarchies. Last, we present suggestions for researchers, as well as recommendations and strategies for practitioners, to unmask “skin-tone wounds” and promote healing for individuals, families, and communities that suffer from skin-tone trauma. Skin-tone trauma should be acknowledged by researchers, scholars, and practitioners to better understand and assess the widespread scope of trauma in the African American community.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shardé McNeil Smith
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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Alon L, Smith A, Liao C, Schneider J. Colorism Demonstrates Dampened Effects Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in Chicago. J Natl Med Assoc 2019; 111:413-417. [PMID: 30803718 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnma.2019.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Colorism is a well documented phenomenon affecting the health, income, education, and psychological wellbeing of African Americans with differing skin tones. There is little research, however, around how colorism may operate among intersectional racial sexual minorities, who additionally face both racism and homophobia, despite evidence that different forms of oppression interact with each other and may have modulating effects in this population. This study aims to clarify the effect colorism has on a variety of life and health outcomes in young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM). METHODS Data were obtained from interviews conducted as part of the uConnect study, a longitudinal cohort study of YBMSM on the South Side of Chicago. Skin color of participants was rated by independent raters. RESULTS While some previously found patterns in African American heterosexuals were observed in this population, most were not. CONCLUSION The effects of colorism did not appear to have a significant role among this population across a wide set of social and health domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh Alon
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Autumn Smith
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chuanhong Liao
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - John Schneider
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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11
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Skin tone bias among African Americans: Antecedents and consequences across the life span. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Maxwell M, Brevard J, Abrams J, Belgrave F. What’s Color Got To Do With It? Skin Color, Skin Color Satisfaction, Racial Identity, and Internalized Racism Among African American College Students. JOURNAL OF BLACK PSYCHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1177/0095798414542299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although skins tone perceptions influence the African American community, less is known about how skin color satisfaction differs across complexion. Employing an intersectionality framework, the current study assessed (a) the relationships between gender, self-reported skin color, skin color satisfaction, and the private regard aspect of racial identity; (b) whether skin color satisfaction moderates the relationship between perceived skin color and racial identity; and (c) whether internalized racism relates to skin color satisfaction. African American college students ( N= 191) provided their perceived skin color and completed the private regard subscale of the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity, the Nadanolitization Scale, and an abbreviated version of the Skin Color Satisfaction Scale. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to test most hypotheses. Although skin color was not significantly associated with skin color satisfaction, skin color satisfaction moderated the relationship between perceived skin color and private regard. Darker skin African Americans high in skin color satisfaction reported higher private regard than those low in skin color satisfaction. Additionally, internalized racism significantly predicted skin color satisfaction. Psychosociological implications are discussed.
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