Nichole Kelly – Undergraduate Research Symposium Abstracts

Ethnic Variations in Asian and Asian American Men’s Disordered Eating Symptoms

Presenter: Kevin Le – Human Physiology

Faculty Mentor(s): Claire Guidinger, Nichole Kelly

Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation

Asian and Asian American men report high rates of disordered eating symptoms, such as body dissatisfaction. Some have hypothesized that these behaviors are a consequence of being stereotyped as petite, more feminine, and less attractive that their non-Asian peers. However, this theoretical and empirical research fails to recognize that there are substantial ethnic variations in both body sizes and cultural ideals among diverse Asian/Asian American populations. This study aimed to identify and clarify potential ethnic variations in Asian/Asian American men’s disordered eating symptoms. 179 Asian/Asian American men (18-30y; Mage=24.03±3.6) completed an online study that included measures of ethnic identity; height and weight; LOC eating (0 = absent, 1 = present); dieting; excessive exercise; body image concerns; and drive for muscularity. Ethnic subgroups included men who self-identified as Chinese (n = 59), Filipino (n = 33), Korean (n = 21), Vietnamese (n = 25), and Indian (n = 41). One-way ANOVAS indicated Asian ethnic subgroups only significantly differed in concerns with muscularity [F(4, 174) = 2.65, p<.05]. Post Hoc findings indicated that Filipino men endorsed significantly higher muscularity concerns compared to Vietnamese men, p<.05. Future research should seek to identify cultural factors that function as both risk and protective factors for disordered eating cognitions and behaviors in Filipino men, as well as other groups of Asian/Asian American men.

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Rural Children’s Mental Health and Body Image.

Presenter(s): Juliana Esquivel — Human Physiology

Co-Presenter(s): Lauren Michels

Faculty Mentor(s): Claire Guidinger, Nichole Kelly

Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation

The COVID-19 pandemic has had negative effect on children’s mental health, especially as they lost social connections transitioning from in-person education to remote learning. This study sought to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in a sample of rural Oregon children. We hypothesized that during height of the COVID-19 pandemic, children would report increased social dissatisfaction and loneliness (SDL), depression, and anxiety, and decreased body appreciation. This study included secondary analyses from a federally funded clinical trial on rural Oregon children’s health (R21HD094661 NICHD). Children filled out surveys in-person pre-COVID-19 and remotely during COVID-19 (February-April 2021) as a follow-up assessment. Paired samples t-tests compared children’s mental health pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. When comparing pre- pandemic and pandemic mental health, there were no statistically significant differences in children’s SDL, anxiety, and body appreciation (p’s>.05). There was a statistically significant difference in children’s depressive symptoms pre- (M = 0.32, SD =.18) and during the pandemic (M = .92, SD = .11). Children endorsed feeling more depressed during the COVID-19 pandemic, t(33) = 15.08, p<.001, d = .23. Given the observed increase in depressive symptoms in our sample, mental health resources in elementary schools should become more available as children now face transitioning back into a post-pandemic world.

Association between Discrimination and Drive for Muscularity in Asian and Asian American Men

Presenter: Jasmine Acree − Human Physiology

Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Nichole Kelly, Claire Guidinger

(In-Person) Poster Presentation

Asian/Asian American men endorse amongst the highest rates of body dissatisfaction across racial groups. However, little research has been conducted on how experiences with race-related discrimination are connected to Asian men’s body image and related behaviors. It was hypothesized that experiences with race-related discrimination would be associated with the greater drive for muscularity, and that this association would be stronger amongst those with greater internalization of the Western masculine body ideal. Participants completed an online survey answering questions regarding their demographics, experiences with racism, drive for muscularity, and internalization of muscularity and thinness appearance ideals. The primary results showed that there was a significant, positive link between Asian/Asian American men’s experiences with both racism and microaggressions and the drive for muscularity, B’s=2.10-2.21, p’s<.001. Internalization of the thinness and muscularity appearance ideals functioned as moderators for both experiences with racism and microaggressions, with differential exacerbating and mitigating influences (B =-.17-.24, p’s<.001). Importantly, Asian/Asian American men who experienced high microaggressions and had higher internalization of the thinness ideal endorsed the most severe drive for muscularity, p<.001. These findings indicate that experiences with discrimination can lead to increased harmful behaviors aimed at achieving Western masculine body ideals.

Body Image Concerns are Associated with Compulsive Exercise Behavior in African American Men

Presenter(s): Isaac Leve − Education Foundations

Co Presenter(s): Gina Williamson, Claire Guidinger, Sophia-kate Brockie, Rae Fitzpatrick

Faculty Mentor(s): Nichole Kelly

Poster 89

Research Area: Health Psychology

According to extant research, body image concerns are generally lower among African American men relative to their Caucasian peers. However, qualitative data suggest that athleticism and physical strength are defining characteristics of being a successful African American man. As such, men who do not fit these ideals may experience body image concerns and engage in excessive exercise to obtain an athletic physique, particularly if they internalize these appearance ideals. The current study examined the associations among body image concerns, internalization of appearance ideals, and compulsive exercise in 255 young African American men (18-30y, Mage = 23.72y). Participants completed an online survey and reported on body image concerns (Revised Male Body Image Attitudes Scale); internalization of appearance ideals (Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4); compulsive exercise beliefs and behaviors (Exercise Dependence Scale); and general demographic characteristics. Linear regression models were conducted, controlling for income, education, presence of a psychiatric diagnosis, and body mass index. Body image concerns were positively associated with compulsive exercise (p
< .001); internalization of appearance ideals did not moderate this association. However, internalization of appearance ideals demonstrated a positive association with excessive exercise (ps < .001). These findings suggest that body image concerns and internalization of appearance ideals are independently associated with excessive exercise symptoms in African American men, but that they do not function jointly to exacerbate these symptoms. Prospective research is needed to determine if body image concerns and internalization of body ideals represent unique risk factors for compulsive exercise symptoms in African American men.

Emotion Dysregulation Moderates the Association Between Perceived Ethnic Discrimination and Loss of Control Eating in Asian/Asian American Men

Presenter(s): Rae Fitzpatrick − Family And Human Services

Co Presenter(S): Claire Guidinger, Gina Williamson, Isaac Leve, Sophie Brockie

Faculty Mentor(s): Nichole Kelly

Poster 94

Research Area: Health Psychology And Prevention Science

The current study examined the association between perceived ethnic discrimination and loss of control (LOC) eating in Asian/Asian American men. Six aspects of emotion dysregulation were explored as moderators. Participants (N=266; 18-30y; Mage=24.4±3.6) completed an online survey assessing demographic variables; perceived ethnic discrimination (including both experiences with racism and microaggressions); emotion dysregulation; and LOC eating frequency in the last 28 days. After controlling for body mass index, education, income, and presence of a psychiatric diagnosis, negative binomial regression models revealed that perceived ethnic discrimination in the form of experiences with microaggressions was positively associated with LOC eating frequency, p<.05. Everyday experiences with racism, however, was not significantly associatedwith LOC eating frequency. All six domains of emotion dysregulation were significantly and positively associated with LOC eating frequency, ps<.001-.02. Follow-up moderation models revealed that limited access to emotion regulation strategies, non-acceptance of emotional responses, and lack of emotional clarity moderated the relationship between both perceived microaggressions and LOC eating, and every day experiences with racism and LOC eating. In plotting the moderation effects, it was determined that these maladaptive emotion regulation strategies generally superseded any experiences with microaggressions and racism, with respect to their association with more frequent LOC eating. These findings support an established body of literature identifying emotion dysregulation as a risk factor for disordered eating behavior. Moreover, the positive association between perceived experiences with microaggressions and LOC eating frequency adds to the growing body of evidence linking experiences with microaggressions to poor mental health outcomes.

Internalization of Muscular Appearance Ideals are Associated with Drive for Muscularity in African American Men

Presenter(s): Sophia Brockie − Human Physiology

Co Presenter(s): Isaac Leve, Rae Fitzpatrick, Claire Guidinger, Gina Williamson

Faculty Mentor(s): Nichole Kelly, Gina Williamson

Poster 90

Research Area: Prevention Science

Theoretical and qualitative data suggest that African American men experience significant gender- and ethnic-related pressures to obtain a large, muscular body type. Few studies have investigated these associations using quantitative data. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between Black identity and drive for muscularity in a large sample of young African American men. Internalization of muscular appearance ideals was evaluated as a potential moderator. Participants (N=254, 18-30y, Mage=23.72, SD=3.47y) completed an online survey and reported on aspects of Black racial identity (Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity Scale), drive for muscularity (Drive for Muscularity Scale), internalization of muscular ideals (Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4) and general demographic characteristics. The Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity scale assesses both centrality (the degree of importance of Black racial identity) and assimilation (existing knowledge of Black racial identity). Linear regression models were conducted, controlling for income, education, presence of a psychiatric diagnosis, and body mass index. Black identity was not associated with drive for muscularity (p=.81). While internalization of muscular appearance ideals did not function as a moderator, it was positively associated with drive for muscularity (p<.001). These data suggest that body image ideals may play a more important role in drive for muscularity than Black identity among young, African American men. Future research on drive for muscularity in African American men could explore the influence of other aspects of identity, such as masculinity, on body image ideals.

Associations of Adherence to Exercise Dependence Symptoms in Asian/Asian American Men

Presenter(s): Shijing Zhou

Co Presenter(s): Kylie Rothhouse

Faculty Mentor(s): Nichole Kelly & Claire Guidinger

Poster 123

Session: Social Sciences & Humanities

Exercise dependence (ED) symptoms, which can be conceptualized as a complex pattern of excessive exercise behaviors, have been shown to be more prevalent in males than females. Preliminary data suggest that Asian/Asian American men frequently endorse ED symptoms. However, the sociocultural correlates of ED symptoms in this population are understudied. The purpose of this study was to examine whether Asian cultural values were associated with ED symptoms in Asian/Asian American men. Internalization of both muscularity and thinness appearance ideals were examined as potential moderators. We hypothesized that men who endorsed greater adherence to Asian cultural values would report more ED symptoms. We also hypothesized that greater internalization of both muscularity and thinness appearance ideals would exacerbate this positive association. The present sample consisted of 266 Asian/Asian American men between 18-30 years. The mean age was 24.4 and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.2 kg/m2. Participants completed an online survey that assessed demographic information, ED symptoms, adherence to Asian cultural values, and internalization of both muscularity and thinness appearance ideals. All analyses adjusted for BMI, education, income, and presence of a psychiatric diagnosis. Multiple linear regression models indicated that adherence to Asian cultural values was significantly and positively associated with ED symptoms. Men who reported greater adherence to Asian cultural values reported more ED symptoms, p<.05. Neither internalization of muscular nor thinness appearance ideals moderated this association. These findings highlight the importance of considering cultural factors in our investigations of ED symptoms and related pathology in men.

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