The role of acculturative stress and body dissatisfaction in predicting bulimic symptomatology across ethnic groups

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the interactive effects of acculturative stress and body dissatisfaction in prediction of bulimic symptoms, particularly in non-White females.

Method: We administered questionnaires to White, Black, and Hispanic females on acculturative stress, body dissatisfaction, and bulimic symptoms.

Results: Our results show that among minority women who report low levels of acculturative stress, body dissatisfaction and bulimia were not correlated. However, among minority women who reported high levels of acculturative stress, body dissatisfaction and bulimia were highly and significantly correlated.

Discussion: The combination of acculturative stress and body dissatisfaction may render minority women more vulnerable to bulimic symptoms; the absence of acculturative stress among minority women may buffer them against bulimic symptoms, even in the presence of body dissatisfaction.