Cited by 37Body Image and Dysmorphia StudiesEating Disorders and BehaviorsEvolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior

Demographic and Sociocultural Predictors of Face Image Satisfaction: The U.S. Body Project I

Frederick, David A., Reynolds, Tania A., Barrera, Carlos A., Murray, Stuart B.·2022·Body Image

Abstract

Despite substantial literature surrounding how people process and perceive faces, there is very little research investigating how people evaluate their own faces. We examined how gender, body mass, race, age, and sexual orientation were linked to people's satisfaction with the appearance of their eyes, nose, facial shape, and face overall among 11,620 adults recruited via Mechanical Turk. Most people mostly or definitely agreed they were happy with their facial appearance. There were notable racial differences, with Asian participants tending to report greater dissatisfaction. For example, only 66% of Asian women and 60% of Asian men mostly or definitely agreed that they were happy with the appearance of their eyes, which was lower than other racial groups. BMI and age were not strongly associated with face satisfaction. Sexual minority men were less satisfied than heterosexual men. About one in four gay and bisexual men, compared to only one in seven heterosexual men, reported dissatisfaction with their overall facial appearance. Men and women with poorer face image engaged in more appearance surveillance, more strongly internalized the thin-ideal, and perceived stronger sociocultural pressures from peers, parents, and media. The current study highlights important sociocultural and demographic factors tied to poorer face image.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.01.016

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Authors
Frederick, D. A., Reynolds, T. A., Barrera, C. A., & Murray, S. B.
Affiliations
  • Chapman University (US)
  • University of New Mexico (US)
  • University of California San Diego (US)
  • University of Southern California (US)
Corresponding author
Frederick, David A.
Venue
Body Image
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-06
Volume
41
Pages
1-16
ISSN
1740-1445 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4214709550
Cited by
37
References
164
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 1
FWCI
7.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Body Image (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
Keywords
facial appearance, racial differences, Asian Americans, sexual orientation, sexual minority men, gender differences, body mass index, age, thin-ideal internalization, sociocultural pressure, media influence
MeSH terms
Sexual and Gender Minorities, Adult, Body Image, Demography, Female, Humans, Male, Personal Satisfaction, Heterosexuality

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