Media exposure, internalization of the thin ideal, and body dissatisfaction: Comparing Asian American and European American college females

Internalization of the thin ideal mediates the media exposure-body dissatisfaction relation in young adult European American females. There is little related research on Asian Americans. We used structural equations modeling to test: (1) whether media exposure was associated with body dissatisfaction in Asian American young adult females, (2) internalization of the thin ideal mediated any such association, and (3) whether the mediational model provided equivalent fit for European American and Asian American samples. Participants were 287 college females (154 Asian Americans, 133 European Americans). Internalization of the thin ideal explained the media exposure-body dissatisfaction association equally well for both groups. Results suggest that Asian Americans may be employing unhealthy weight control behaviors, and may be prone to developing eating disorders, at rates similar to European American young adult females. Clinicians need to screen carefully for body dissatisfaction, unhealthy weight control behaviors, and eating disorders in Asian American females.

► Asian American females exposed to less thin ideal media than European Americans. ► Showed less internalization of the thin ideal and lower body dissatisfaction. ► Like European Americans, media exposure positively related to body dissatisfaction. ► Internalization mediated this relation equally well for both groups. ► For Asians, mechanisms of influence operate in ways similar to European Americans.