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Research from Southern Illinois University in the area of psychology published

  2008 OCT 6 - (NewsRx.com) -- "Objectification theory has emphasized objectification in terms of body shape and size. African American women may expect to be evaluated on additional physical attributes such as skin tone," investigators in the United States report.

  "Therefore, we extended previous research on objectification theory by adding separate measures of skin-tone concerns in a survey of 117 African American women. Results from a series of path analyses revealed that as hypothesized, habitual body monitoring of skin tone predicted specific skin-tone dissatisfaction as well as general shame regarding body shape and size. Contrary to theoretical predictions, self-objectification did not mediate links between habitual monitoring (of skin tone or of body size and shape) and body dissatisfaction," wrote T.S. Buchanan and colleagues, Southern Illinois University.

  The researchers concluded: "In terms of objectification theory, results suggest that skin tone is a relevant dimension of habitual body monitoring and dissatisfaction for some African American women."

  Buchanan and colleagues published their study in Counseling Psychologist (Testing a culture-specific extension of objectification theory regarding African American women's body image. Counseling Psychologist, 2008;36(5):697-718).

  For additional information, contact A.R. Fischer, Southern Illinois University, Dept. of Psychology, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.

  The publisher of the journal Counseling Psychologist can be contacted at: Sage Publications Inc., 2455 Teller Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.

  Keywords: United States, Carbondale, Life Sciences, Psychology, Mental Health, Southern Illinois University.

  This article was prepared by VerticalNews Food editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, VerticalNews Food via VerticalNews.com.