The Relationship Between Ethnic Identification and Beauty Ideal Internalization in Black Women

While there is extensive body image research regarding White women, more research needs to be conducted concerning Black women. Eurocentric physical characteristics define Western American beauty standards, such as a thin physique, long hair, and fair skin. Research suggests that for Black women, identifying with one’s cultural ethnicity is a buffer against internalizing monolithic Eurocentric beauty ideals, specifically the thin ideal. This study aimed to substantiate that finding, and expanded upon existing research by examining whether ethnic identification also acts as a buffer for hair and skin tone satisfaction. As part of a two part study, this study conducted two focus groups to determine what beauty ideals, other than body size, were important to women of color. A separate group of participants filled out a survey assessing ethnic identification, thin ideal internalization, and hair and skin tone satisfaction. It was hypothesized that Black women with a stronger ethnic identification would be less likely to internalize the thin ideal and would experience greater hair and skin satisfaction. Results from linear regression analyses found a negative relationship between ethnic identification and thin ideal internalization and a positive relationship between ethnic identification and hair satisfaction. No relationship was found between ethnic identification and skin tone satisfaction. Due to low internal consistency in the skin tone satisfaction measure developed for this study, future research should improve upon the current skin satisfaction survey. The findings suggest the importance of body image research examining the complex factors associated with Black women’s body image.