An Ecological Approach to Examining Body Satisfaction in Caucasian and African American Female College Students

Abstract

Body satisfaction is a multifaceted concept that depends upon inner biological, psychological, social, and cultural components. Although research has demonstrated the influence of culture and family on the etiology of eating disorders, few studies have examined how these variables are associated with body satisfaction in a nonclinical, racially diverse college population. This study explores the mediating role of race in the assessment of family environment, associated with body satisfaction in college females. More specifically, body mass index (BMI), self‐worth, eating behavior, parental attachment, parental control, and media influence are examined in relation to perceived body satisfaction. Females in a southeastern university (231 Caucasians, 80 African Americans) aged 18–24, completed two subscales of Harter’s Self‐Perception Scale for College Students assessing self‐worth and body satisfaction. Participants reported height and weight to calculate BMI and completed an eating behavior (EAT‐26) scale. Attachment to both parents was measured by the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment. Perception of media was assessed by the Media Influence Scale, developed specifically for this study. For both groups, BMI was a predictor of body satisfaction. Self‐worth, parental attitudes, media influence, and eating behaviors demonstrated unique interplay with regard to perceived body satisfaction for each race. Findings indicate that body satisfaction, an essential part of self‐worth, is constructed differently by each race, and associated with familial variables in distinctive ways.