Date of Submission
Spring 2024
Academic Program
Psychology; Asian Studies
Project Advisor 1
Kristin Lane, Justin Dainer-Best
Project Advisor 2
Phuong Ngo
Abstract/Artist's Statement
This paper explores the intersection of disordered eating behaviors and sociocultural factors among Asian American women, offering a comprehensive analysis from a sociocultural perspective. With a historical context of Eating Disorders and their portrayal in Asian countries, the paper challenges the Western-centric labels in capturing the experiences of disordered eating among Asian American women, and advocated the concept of “disordered eating” as a more nuanced term, particularly suitable for understanding problematic food relationships among ethnic minorities. Through examining the cultural aspects of body image by the influence of media and racial and familial expectations, eating may serve as an unique coping mechanism for gaining agency under various pressures. Acculturative stress emerges as another significant factor uniquely associated with disordered eating among Asian American women, shaped by ethnic identity and adaptation strategies. Through this analysis, the paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between culture, family, identity, and disordered eating behaviors among Asian American women. By recognizing the multilayered nature of disordered eating within this population, the paper advocates for a shift in perspective towards more inclusive and effective mental health services.
Open Access Agreement
On-Campus only
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Wang, Mingxi, "Silent Struggles: Exploring Disordered Eating Among Asian American Women From a Sociocultural Perspective" (2024). Senior Projects Spring 2024. 326.
https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/senproj_s2024/326
This work is protected by a Creative Commons license. Any use not permitted under that license is prohibited.
Bard Off-campus DownloadBard College faculty, staff, and students can login from off-campus by clicking on the Off-campus Download button and entering their Bard username and password.