(PS14-98) Understanding the Relationships of Internalized Weight Bias, Internalized Thin-ideal, and Body Image in the South Korean Cultural Context

Abstract Text: Research has identified the adverse consequences of internalized weight bias (IWB), such as disordered eating and body dissatisfaction. In South Korea’s filial and patriarchal society, appearance rather than ability or talent is considered the principal determinant of a woman’s value, as evidenced by high rates of cosmetic surgery and anti-fat bias. Given Korea’s strict appearance norms and weight stigma, the aim of this study was to translate and validate a Korean version of the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M), then explore its associations with other established body image internalization measures. Participants included 161 female-identifying adults (M_age = 40.15 years; SD = 12.33) who were recruited from Korean online survey portals. Participants completed the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire - 4, the Body Shape Questionnaire-8C and the WBIS-M. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationships between sociocultural pressures, IWB, thin-ideal internalization, and body dissatisfaction. For sociocultural pressures and IWB, the overall linear regression was statistically significant (R² = .50, F (3, 158) = 52.45, p < .001). Only pressures imposed by family and peers positively and significantly predicted IWB (ß_family = .22, p = .002; ß_peer = .51, p</em> < .001). Media was not a significant predictor of IWB (ß_media = .10, p = .111). For sociocultural pressures and thin-ideal internalization, the overall linear regression was also statistically significant (R² = .25, F(3, 158) = 18.45, p < .001). Peer and media pressures positively and significantly predicted thin-ideal internalization (ß_peer = .34, p < .001; ß_media = .36, p</em> < .001). In contrast, family pressure did not significantly predict thin-ideal internalization (ß_family = -.16, p = .06). Overall, linear regression analyses indicated that both thin-ideal and weight bias internalization positively predicted body dissatisfaction (ß_thin = .39, p < .001; ß_wbis = .77, p < .001). Concordant with previous research, internalized weight bias and thin-ideal were found to negatively influence how one views their appearance. Interestingly, our results suggest the type of sociocultural pressure impacts IWB and thin-ideal differently. It is meaningful that family and peer pressures were associated with weight bias internalization, while media and peer pressures were associated with thin-ideal internalization. Since IWB is significantly associated with body shame (i.e., shame about how others perceive their bodies), this explains how familial and peer pressure perpetuate weight bias because of the influence of others’ perceptions. Future research should further examine these pathways to better understand the nuances of these relationships. Given Korea’s filial society, interventions focusing on improving family and peer communication may reduce weight bias internalization, hence body dissatisfaction and disordered eating.