Internalization of Western Ideals on Appearance and Self-Esteem in Jamaican Undergraduate Students.

We examined the association between internalization of Western beauty ideals and depressive symptoms as well as the potential mediating role of self-esteem on this relation in N = 222 students (155 females, 79 males) attending a tertiary institution in Kingston, Jamaica. Internalization of Western ideals was inversely associated with self-esteem (r =- .35, p < .01) and positively associated with depressive symptoms (r =.13, p < .05). In a model adjusted for age and sex, results revealed a significant indirect effect of internalization of Western ideals of appearance on depressive symptoms via self-esteem (estimate= .21, SE = .05, 95% confidence interval [.13, .32]). The potent effects of culture must be better understood as intercontinental travel becomes less important as a mechanism for cultural exposure and exchange, and there is a significant increase of digital and internet access in the Caribbean. The current study suggest that Caribbeans are at significant risk for internalizing Western ideals of beauty, subsequently diminishing their self-esteem, and ultimately increasing depression symptomatology. The benefits and consequences of cultural exchange should continue to be a topic for research studies. PMID: 31617042 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Cult Med Psychiatry Source Type: research