Does the tripartite influence model of body image and eating pathology function similarly across racial/ethnic groups of White, Black, Latina, and Asian women?

The tripartite influence model suggests that appearance pressures from family, peers, and the media contribute to thin-ideal internalization, which leads increased body dissatisfaction subsequent eating disorder pathology. was initially developed tested among primarily White samples, emerging research racial/ethnic differences in mean levels of particular constructs. Consequently, model's appropriateness for understanding risk minorities warrants investigation determine its usefulness explicating diverse populations. Participants current study were (n = 1167), Black 212), Latina 203), Asian 176) women five geographically disparate college campuses United States. completed Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4, Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire - Evaluation Subscale, Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire. Analysis variance used compare each construct across groups. Multigroup structural equation modeling assess group, examine strength pathways There significant level groups most However, results indicated similar fit groups, with few pathways. Findings suggest although some report lower proposed factors, sociocultural processes pathology identified through are young adult women. Such information can be inform culturally-sensitive interventions.