Revisiting Self-Objectification Among Black Women: The Importance of Eurocentric Beauty Norms

Abstract

Models of self-objectification utilized by the existing literature have been normed with predominantly White samples and may not account for the unique pressures on Black women to engage in beauty practices that prioritize European appearance expectations. Additionally mainstream media have historically rejected Black women’s bodies and beauty, instead reifying Western European aesthetics. We expand the existing literature by testing the contribution of body surveillance using serial analyses via endorsement of Eurocentric appearance norms (i.e., feminine appearance, thinness, and Eurocentric appearance), mainstream media consumption, mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety, and hostility), and body shame. Based on a sample of 561 Black women, combined serial/parallel mediation models revealed that total media consumption was not associated with body surveillance; however, there was an indirect effect of media consumption through acceptance of European body image norms predicting mental health and body shame. Findings suggest that to fully understand the impact of sexual- and self-objectification among Black women, researchers must also examine their negotiations of Western European norms of femininity and beauty. Implications for Black women’s body image beliefs are discussed.