Abstract
Despite its ubiquity, stigmatizing messages regarding overweight and obesity have been found to produce enhanced internalization of these messages (internalized weight bias; IWB), and increased disordered eating behaviors (Ahorsu et al., 2020; Ratcliffe & Ellison, 2015). Asian American women may be particularly susceptible to these stigmatizing messages due to the value that both Asian and American cultures place on thin body ideals (Brady et al., 2017). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive ability of specific multicultural variables identified by the Multicultural Assessment-Intervention Process (MAIP) model (i.e., ethnic identity, acculturation, perceived discrimination, gender roles, and shifting) on IWB and disordered eating in Asian American women. Based on a sample of 429 Asian American women, predictive relationships were examined through five hierarchical regression analyses that consisted of four blocks. Additionally, five one-way between subjects’ multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) and one univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) were utilized to assess for differences between Asian American subgroups (i.e., East Asian, Southeast Asian, and Asian Indian). Overall, a facet of shifting (White Beauty Conformity; WBC) and mainstream acculturation (i.e., adherence to U.S. cultural values and norms) were the only multicultural variables significantly predictive of all IWB and disordered eating outcomes, such that greater WBC and mainstream acculturation predicted worse body- and weight-related outcomes. Only significant differences in gender role adherence were observed. Clinical implications and future research are discussed.