Predictors of body dissatisfaction in Asian and caucasian males: A preliminary test of a three factor model

This study explored the associations between body dissatisfaction (BD), internalization, acculturation, masculinity, femininity and appearance-based rejection sensitivity (ABRS). A web-based survey resulted in 55 Asian and 50 Australian Caucasian male university students between 17 and 44 years of age. Univariate analyses resulted in Asian males reporting significantly higher BD than Caucasian males. Bivariate correlations indicated that BD was significantly and positively correlated with internalization and ABRS in Asian and Caucasian males. Masculinity was negatively correlated with BD in Caucasian males only. Multiple regressions indicated that the only independent predictors of BD were internalization and ABRS. This study suggests that male Asian university students in Australia are at particular risk of developing body image disturbances, irrespective of their level of acculturation. Further studies replicating the influence of ABRS on a broader range of cultures and genders may help to investigate the generalizability of these findings.