The body cathexis and "ideal" female figure for Black college females and White college females were investigated. The Body Cathexis Scale was administered to determine students' level of satisfaction with their bodies. Self reports of each student's ideal female measurements were also examined. It was hypothesized that Black college females tend to possess greater satisfaction with their body image than White college females. Black college females were hypothesized to report less restrictive measurements for what they believe would make up the ideal female figure than White college females. Results showed that some significant differences were found between Black and White college females. Of the 46 items on the Body Cathexis Scale, significant differences between Black and White college females were found on seven items with five indicating higher satisfaction of Black college females and two indicating that White college females had higher satisfaction. Of the five measurements of ideal female figure, only one differed significantly with the Black college females possessing a less restrictive measurement. Thirty-nine items on the Body Cathexis Scale and four on the ideal female figure measurements showed no significant difference. Therefore, the hypothesis of Black college females being more satisfied with their bodies and reporting less restrictive ideal female figure measurements than White college females was not supported. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/183925 |
| Date | January 1990 |
| Creators | Barcus, Sonja Marie |
| Contributors | Ball State University. Dept. of Counseling Psychology & Guidance Services., Dixon, David N. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | 25 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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