The impact of sociocultural weight and body shape values on body dissatisfaction and eating behaviour, moderated by self-compassion in UK women with South Asian heritage

The impact of sociocultural factors on body image and eating behaviour has been extensively researched within White Western populations for decades. Only recently has the gap in understanding the experiences of women from South Asian (SA) heritage been explored. Research has revealed the conflicting experiences of women with SA heritage, who often experience feeling caught between two pervasive societal narratives. The pressures to conform to cultural values and beauty standards within SA tradition and Western society have been found to result in body dissatisfaction and eating behaviour difficulties. This thesis investigated the impact of sociocultural weight and shape attitudes from peers, the media and family, marriage pressures and cultural identity conflict, on aspects of body image and eating behaviour in women with SA heritage in the UK. It also explored the role of self-compassion as a moderator between these sociocultural influences, aspects of body image and eating behaviour.

Cross-sectional quantitative data was collected across the UK via a range of online forums and nationwide Universities. The online survey included the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire – 4R (SATAQ-4R), the marriage subscale in the Cultural Values Conflict Scale (CVCS-M), the Ethnocultural Identity Conflict Scale (EICS), the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire–Appearance Scales (MBSRQ–AS) and the Self Compassion Scale (SCS).

A total of 89 participants completed the survey. The findings suggested that those who experience cultural identity conflict were more likely to have difficulties with eating behaviour and those with increased marriage and media appearance pressures resulted in the likelihood of experiencing overweight preoccupation. Findings also indicated that self-compassion may help to moderate the impact of societal narratives around weight and shape from peers, leading to women with SA heritage feeling more satisfied with areas of their body.

This thesis builds on the foundational evidence within the research field exploring the impact of sociocultural factors on body image and eating behaviour in SA women in the UK. Addressing this research gap is a crucial step in widening access to services and reducing inequalities in the healthcare system in the UK.