title: Physical appearance comparisons in ethnically diverse college women.
abstract: Research demonstrates ethnic differences in rates of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Appearance comparison frequency is related to these outcomes, however, research has not examined possible ethnic differences in levels of appearance comparisons nor their relation to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. The current study examined the frequency of appearance comparisons and the strength of the relationships between appearance comparisons, appearance evaluation, and disordered eating among White, Black, and Hispanic women. Measures of appearance comparison, appearance evaluation, and disordered eating were administered to 895 college women. Compared with White and Hispanic women, Black women reported fewer appearance comparisons, more positive appearance evaluation, and lower levels of disordered eating. Associations between examined variables were generally weaker among Black women. Results suggest that the reduced frequency and impact of appearance comparisons may contribute to more positive appearance evaluation and reduced levels of disordered eating among Black women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Lia K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Thibodaux
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krenik
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Elysse
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. Electronic address: JKThompson@usf.edu.
authors.forename: J Kevin
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D000067029:Physical Appearance, Body; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Appearance comparison; Body dissatisfaction; Disordered eating; Ethnicity