How deep is skin‐deep? The relationship between skin color satisfaction, estimation of body image, and self‐esteem among women of African descent

Abstract

The study of skin color and its relationship to body (dis)satisfaction and self‐esteem is critical to expanding upon the research that explores the intersection between body image and the sociocultural experience of women of the African diaspora. To this end, the relationships between skin color satisfaction, body dissatisfaction, and self‐esteem were examined in a sample of 328 women of African descent. Results revealed a significant effect for ethnicity and employment status on body dissatisfaction, skin color satisfaction, and self‐esteem. Follow‐up analyses revealed that Afro‐Caribbean women were the most satisfied with their body shape, biracial women were most satisfied with their skin color, and women who self‐identified as professionals had the highest self‐esteem. Implications for the findings are discussed.

What’s Color Got To Do With It? Skin Color, Skin Color Satisfaction, Racial Identity, and Internalized Racism Among African American College Students

“…That is, darker skin participants high in skin color satisfaction reported more positive private regard beliefs than those low in skin color satisfaction. This finding, in addition to substantiating our hypotheses, supports the earlier works of Bond and Cash (1992), Falconer and Neville (2000), and Mucherah and Frazier (2013) that identified skin color satisfaction as a barometer of self-perceptions and self-satisfaction among African Americans. Consistent with these studies, the present investigation provides support that being satisfied with one's skin color may be psychologically beneficial, especially for darker individuals.…”

“…Paradoxically, dark skin participants who were satisfied with their skin color also had lower self-esteem, which further illustrates the complexity surrounding skin color and self-evaluations. In the most recent exploration of skin color satisfaction and body dissatisfaction, Mucherah and Frazier (2013) examined skin color satisfaction among women across the African diaspora (Africa, the United States, and Caribbean) and found biracial women to be most satisfied with their skin color. Although the results from this study broaden our understanding of the nuanced effects of culture on the manifestations of skin color perceptions and preferences, the authors make conclusions about each population without considering the potential influence of within-group differences in skin color.…”

Skin tone bias among African Americans: Antecedents and consequences across the life span

“…However, biracial women reported the highest satisfaction with their skin tone, and African American women reported the lowest. Self-esteem was positively related to skin tone satisfaction (Mucherah & Frazier, 2013).…”

“…Evidence of potential misplacement may be found in the relatively high percentage (74%) of the sample that was considered light. Mucherah and Frazier (2013) examined skin tone satisfaction, body satisfaction, and self-esteem in 328 adult women (aged 18-41) of African descent. A majority of the sample (256 women) selfidentified as African American; 44 were African, 12 were Afro-Caribbean, 16 were biracial, and 42 selfidentified as "other."…”

Skin-Tone Trauma: Historical and Contemporary Influences on the Health and Interpersonal Outcomes of African Americans

“…Past studies have focused on the effects of variations in skin tone on mental-, physical-, and behavioral-health outcomes. For example, studies have documented associations between skin tone and psychological adjustment, including self-esteem (Coard et al, 2001; Landor, Simons, Granberg, & Melby, 2019; Mucherah & Frazier, 2013; Robinson & Ward, 1995; Thompson & Keith, 2001); body satisfaction (Falconer & Neville, 2000); and perceived attractiveness (Hersch, 2011; Hill, 2002). In particular, darker skinned individuals report lower self-esteem (Coard et al, 2001; Robinson & Ward, 1995; Thompson & Keith, 2001), lower body satisfaction (Falconer & Neville, 2000), and more depression (Monk, 2015) than their lighter skinned counterparts.…”