Role of Self-Objectification & Gendered Racial Microaggressions on Black Women’s Body Appreciation

Abstract

The subtle sexual objectification and dehumanization of Black women have a long history throughout Western society. However, few scholars have explored how sexually objectifying gendered racial microaggressions (GRM) events detract from Black women’s positive body image attitudes. Accordingly, this study investigated the moderating role of sexually objectifying GRM on the association between self-objectification and Black women’s body appreciation. Participants ( N = 215) completed measures assessing the stress appraisal and frequency of sexually objectifying GRM events, self-objectification beliefs, and body appreciation. Moderated moderation analysis revealed support for the hypothesis, with Black women reporting lower body appreciation when engagement in self-objectification and stress appraisal (of fewer sexually objectifying GRM events) were high. The findings highlight the importance of considering contextual factors, such as sexually objectifying GRM, when exploring Black women’s positive body image attitudes.