Document Type
Union College Only
Faculty Sponsor
Catherine Walker
Department
Psychology
Start Date
21-5-2021 3:15 PM
Description
Research on body dissatisfaction among women, focusing on the internalization of the thin body ideal, is not typically conducted among diverse groups of women. A significant body of research has shown that White women tend to internalize a thin body ideal, but Black women may be more likely to internalize a thick or curvy body ideal. However, research on Black women's thin ideal internalization remains limited and there is little research examining Black women's internalization of thick or curvy body ideals. Compared to prior research, the current study included a diverse sample, both in regards to participants' race and the body ideals examined. First, I hypothesize that there will be a negative relationship between Black women's internalization of the thick or curvy body ideal and their level of body dissatisfaction after viewing thin models of any race. In contrast, I hypothesize there will be a positive correlation between Black women's internalization of the thin ideal and their level of body dissatisfaction after viewing the model images. In regards to White participants, I hypothesize that there will be a positive relationship between White women's internalization of the thin ideal and their level of body dissatisfaction after viewing the model images of any race. In contrast, there will be a negative correlation between White women's internalization of the thick or curvy body ideal and their level of body dissatisfaction after viewing thin models of any race. Given the lack of prior research on the internalization of the thick/curvy ideal and White women's body dissatisfaction, rather than making a specific hypothesis, this is exploratory analysis. Linear regression was conducted to test each hypothesis, and none of the relationships found weresignificant. Due to sample size and measure limitations, future research should further analyze Black women's internalization of body ideals and body dissatisfaction.
The Relationship Between the Internalization of Body Ideals and Body Dissatisfaction Among Black and White Women
Research on body dissatisfaction among women, focusing on the internalization of the thin body ideal, is not typically conducted among diverse groups of women. A significant body of research has shown that White women tend to internalize a thin body ideal, but Black women may be more likely to internalize a thick or curvy body ideal. However, research on Black women's thin ideal internalization remains limited and there is little research examining Black women's internalization of thick or curvy body ideals. Compared to prior research, the current study included a diverse sample, both in regards to participants' race and the body ideals examined. First, I hypothesize that there will be a negative relationship between Black women's internalization of the thick or curvy body ideal and their level of body dissatisfaction after viewing thin models of any race. In contrast, I hypothesize there will be a positive correlation between Black women's internalization of the thin ideal and their level of body dissatisfaction after viewing the model images. In regards to White participants, I hypothesize that there will be a positive relationship between White women's internalization of the thin ideal and their level of body dissatisfaction after viewing the model images of any race. In contrast, there will be a negative correlation between White women's internalization of the thick or curvy body ideal and their level of body dissatisfaction after viewing thin models of any race. Given the lack of prior research on the internalization of the thick/curvy ideal and White women's body dissatisfaction, rather than making a specific hypothesis, this is exploratory analysis. Linear regression was conducted to test each hypothesis, and none of the relationships found weresignificant. Due to sample size and measure limitations, future research should further analyze Black women's internalization of body ideals and body dissatisfaction.