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Comparisons of body image dimensions by race/ethnicity and gender in a university population
K J Miller1, D H Gleaves, T G Hirsch
1Department of Psychology, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19131-1693, USA. kathym@pcom.edu
Objective:
We examined affective and cognitive components of body image related to physical appearance, weight, and health among 120 university men and women of three racial/ethnic groups: African American, European American, and Latino/a American.
Method:
Participants completed a Background Information Sheet, the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), the Body-Esteem Scale (BES) with additional items, and the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (BIDR). We tested for effects of race/ethnicity and gender on the body image measures while controlling for age, body size, social desirability, and socioeconomic status (SES).
Results:
African Americans reported greatest body satisfaction and least overestimation of weight. Latino/a Americans were equal to or higher than European Americans on all indices. Gender differences occurred on global body image, weight concerns, fitness, and health. There were no Gender x Race/Ethnicity interactions.
Discussion:
This pattern of racial/ethnic and gender differences shows a need for exploring a wider range of culturally relevant body image dimensions.