Perceptions of self-image : a comparative study of White and African urban females in university gyms.

摘要

The primary aim of the research attempted to investigate whether ethnicuddifferences in self-image existed amongst White and African females. It furtherudinvestigated whether specific factors such as family, peer relations and psychosocialudfactors (specifically perceptions regarding the media) have had a positive or negativeudinfluence on weight. Additionally it explored whether black females may stilludperceive a fuller figure as being more acceptable or whether changes have occurredudwithin past and/or present ideologies. The study used both qualitative and quantitativeudanalysis. In order to establish whether ethnicity was significantly different from BMI,udBSQ, SATAQ-3, t-tests (non-parametric one-way ANOVA comparisons) wereudperformed. Ethnicity was not significantly different in relation to the dependentudvariables BSQ; overall SATAQ-3 scores and its dimensions; and affirmation,udbelonging and commitment of the MEIM. However significant differences wereudfound between BMI, the overall MEIM and its subscale ethnic identity. Low and highudscores of the MEIM revealed no differences across all measurement instruments usedudwithin the study, demonstrating no effect upon BSQ or the SATAQ-3 and itsudsubscales. However there was a significant difference found between ethnic groupsudwith regard to BMI. Fisher’s –z was used to conduct comparisons between theudcorrelations established using Pearson’s Rank Coefficient Correlations. The resultsudindicated that significant relationships did exist between the BSQ, specific subscalesudof the SATAQ-3, and BMI. Results obtained from Fisher’s-z revealed significantuddifferences on the BSQ and SATAQ-3 (including its subscales) correlations. MultipleudRegression was conducted to establish whether BMI, MEIM and SATAQ-3 have hadudan impact upon the outcome of BSQ. The comparisons revealed that BMI andudsociocultural factors may have an impact upon the perceptions of body shape and size.udMajor themes identified within the qualitative analysis were culture, inheritedudconcepts, media, family, friends and parental (mother) influences amongst others. Theudresults revealed that White females may experience greater body dissatisfaction.udAfrican females had stated that their body concept is influenced by ethnicity, whileudWhite females communicated media and stereotyped images of white females asudbeing the source of pressure to loose weight.