The Influence of Race-Related Stress on Eating Pathology: The Mediating Role of Depression and Moderating Role of Cultural Worldview Among Black American Women

Abstract

The current study aimed to advance the eating pathology literature through investigating the association between a salient stressor for Black American women (race-related stress) and eating pathology, while also examining the potential mediating role of depressive symptoms on this association. In addition, the study aimed to examine the potential protective role of cultural worldview in this model. A community sample of 119 Black women between the ages of 18 and 60 years ( M = 36.34, SD = 12.51) were recruited for the study. Results supported a significant indirect effect of race-related stress on eating pathology through depressive symptoms. Moderated mediation analyses revealed a conditional effect of depression at various levels of worldview. Contrary to our hypotheses, participants with a more collectivistic and spiritual worldview often engaged in more eating pathology as a result of self-reported depressive symptoms stemming from experiences of race-related stress. Implications and future directions are discussed.