Racial identity differences in pathways from sociocultural and objectification constructs to body satisfaction: The U.S. Body Project I. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frederick, David A.; Schaefer, Lauren M.; Hazzard, Vivienne M.; Rodgers, Rachel F.; Tylka, Tracy L.; Ong, Lydia Q.; Pennesi, Jamie-Lee; Convertino, Lexie; Parent, Michael C.; Brown, Tiffany A.; Compte, Emilio J.; Cook-Cottone, Catherine P.; Crerand, Canice E.; Malcarne, Vanessa L.; Nagata, Jason M.; Perez, Marisol; Pila, Eva; Kevin Thompson, J.; Murray, Stuart B.
• Is Part Of: Body image. Volume 41(2022)
• Page Start: 140
• Page End: 155
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Body image -- race -- Objectification theory -- Tripartite influence model -- Face satisfaction; Body image -- Periodicals; Body image -- Research -- Periodicals; Body Image -- Periodicals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.01.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-1445

Abstract

Highlights: Constructs from objectification theory and tripartite influence model were tested. Pathways from these constructs to body satisfaction varied by racial identity. Race moderated some of the pathways from appearance pressures to outcomes. Family appearance pressures linked to thin-ideal internalizations for Asian women. Findings show the importance of testing body image models across racial groups. Abstract: Racial minority men and women face a wide variety of appearance-related pressures, including ones connected to their cultural backgrounds and phenotypic features associated with their identity. These body image concerns exist within a larger context, wherein racial minorities face pressures from multiple cultures or subcultures simultaneously to achieve unrealistic appearance ideals. However, limited research has investigated racial differences in the relationships between theorized sociocultural risk factors and body image in large samples. This study tests pathways from an integrated sociocultural model drawing on objectification theory and the tripartite influence model to three key body image outcomes: appearance evaluation, body image quality of life, and face image satisfaction. These pathways were tested using multigroup structural equation modeling in a national sample of White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian men and women ( n s = 205–4797 per group). Although many hypothesized associations were similar in strength across groups, race moderated some of the pathways between sociocultural pressures (media, peer, family), internalization of appearance ideals (thin-ideal, muscular/athletic), appearance surveillance, and body image outcomes. Findings support the likely role of both shared and specific risk factors for body image outcomes, suggesting avenues for tailoring adapted interventions in order to target culturally-salient risk factors.