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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
"You Can't Be Too Skinny. You Can't Be Too Fat. I Don't Know What You Are Supposed To Be.": A qualitative focus group study exploring body image experiences of South Asian women in the UK
Body Image, Vol.46, pp.123-138
2023
Appears in Thompson Institute Research Collection
Abstract
British South Asian women may experience unique appearance pressures associated with their intersecting (racialised and gendered) identities; yet qualitative investigations of intersectional understanding of their body image is scarce. The aim of this study was to explore sociocultural factors influencing British South Asian women’s body image using an intersectional framework. Seven focus groups were conducted with 22 women of South Asian heritage living in the UK between the age of 18 and 48 years old who were comfortable speaking in English. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. We generated four themes (1) navigating (often marriage-related) appearance pressures from South Asian elders and aunties (2) negotiating cultural and societal standards across different aspects of one’s identity (3) representation of South Asian women in the wider context and (4) forms of healing from the pressures imposed on South Asian women. The findings have important implications for appearance experiences of South Asian women by acknowledging the need for tailored and nuanced responses to their complex needs in the sociocultural, political and relational context such as family, peers, education, health, media and the wider consumer landscape.
•A qualitative study exploring body image experiences of South Asian women in the UK.•Women experienced appearance pressure from older generations (i.e., marriageability).•Body image was influenced by competing aspects of intersecting identities.•Participants lamented the lack of representation of South Asian women in the media.•Focus groups acted as sites of resistance and solidarity against appearance pressures.
Details
- Title
- "You Can't Be Too Skinny. You Can't Be Too Fat. I Don't Know What You Are Supposed To Be.": A qualitative focus group study exploring body image experiences of South Asian women in the UK
- Authors
- Ankita Mishra (Corresponding Author) - University of SheffieldNadia Craddock (Author) - University of the West of EnglandJamie Chan (Author) - University of SussexRosiel Elwyn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson InstituteSilvia Cerea (Author) - University of PaduaWen Q Tan (Author) - University of SheffieldHaifa Bin Haamed (Author) - University of SheffieldFidan Turk (Author) - University of Sheffield
- Publication details
- Body Image, Vol.46, pp.123-138
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.05.005
- ISSN
- 1873-6807; 1740-1445
- Copyright note
- (c) The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Nursing; Thompson Institute; School of Law and Society; External
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99732698902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology, Clinical
- Psychology, Multidisciplinary
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