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The Effect of Ethnic Identification and Social Group Affiliation on Body Image Satisfaction among Asian-American College Students

Lee, Yoon-Jung (Dept. of Home Economics Education, Korea University)

Publication Information

International Journal of Human Ecology / v.8, no.1, 2007 , pp. 9-18 More about this Journal

Abstract

This study focuses on the relationship between ethnic identity of Asian-Americans and their appreciation of their ethnic body features, based on reference group theory. A convenience sample of 60 male and 52 female students from various Asian ethnicities attending a mid-western university was used for the study. A 2 (gender) by 2 (ethnic identification) by 2 (socializing group) analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) on body image satisfaction as dependent variable and Body Mass Index score as a covariate was conducted. A significant main effect of ethnic identification was found, which indicates the more respondents identified with their ethnic group, the more likely they were to be satisfied with their appearance. The social group affiliation main effect was not significant. The impact of ethnic identification was significant only for those respondents who socialize more with Americans than with Asians. The results support the idea that one's ethnic group functions as a reference group, which influences body image appraisals.

Keywords

Asian-American; college students; ethnic identification; reference group; body image satisfaction;

Citations & Related Records

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