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36-24-36: The Effect of Listening to Rap Lyrics that Promote the Curvy Ideal on Black Women’s Body Image Dissatisfaction by April D. Scott A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Auburn, Alabama December 14, 2019 Copyright 2014 by April D. Scott Approved by Annette Kluck, Chair, Professor of Leadership and Counselor Education Randolph Pipes, Professor Emeritus of Counseling Psychology Evelyn Hunter, Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology Abstract Body image dissatisfaction (BID) has been linked to a number of concerns such as low self- esteem, disordered eating, anxiety and depression. Mainstream media has been identified as one of the biggest culprits in the transmission of unrealistic body ideals to women because these media sources frequently promote a thin, slim body type, known as the thin-ideal; however, this body type is not always perceived as desirable among Black men and women. This study investigated the effect of exposing Black women to rap lyrics that promote the curvy ideal on their level of body image dissatisfaction. In order to examine the links between the variables of interest, a sample size of 96 Black women between the ages of 18 and 34 completed a demographic questionnaire and a state-based body image rating scale before exposure to audio of three rap songs with high levels of curvy ideal content or audio of neutral rap songs that did not reference body ideals. After exposure, participants completed the same state-based measure of body image dissatisfaction as was completed pre-exposure to song lyrics, a trait-based measure of body image dissatisfaction and a figure rating scale. A between-subjects design was used to compare the mean scores from both groups to detect a change in scores. From the analyses, pre- exposure BID scores explained variance in post-exposure BID and a significant interaction was found between ethnic identity and exposure to curvy ideal song lyrics but only for the state-based measure, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). This effect was only detected for participants who passed the attention checks. As ethnic identity increased so did levels of BID for those in the curvy ideal song group. These findings suggest that ethnic identity may act as a risk factor for Black women when they are exposed to ideals consistent with Black culture and that more research is needed on variables that influence BID and the factors, if any, that buffer Black women from the dangerous effects of exposure to unrealistic, but culturally relevant, body ideals. ii Acknowledgments First, I thank God for guiding and anchoring me throughout this journey. During this pursuit, I was often reminded of the message in 2 Corinthians 4:16-17: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. These words have been a beacon of hope in the most overwhelming moments of this project. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my chair, Dr. Annette Kluck, for her encouragement, patience, and constructive feedback, which helped make my dream a reality. I would like to extend gratitude to my co-chairs, Dr. Randolph Pipes and Dr. Evelyn Hunter. Dr. Pipes urged me to take care of myself when unexpected life events arose, always expressed genuine concerned about my well-being, and made a remarkably worthy air hockey opponent. I must thank Dr. Hunter for stepping in to join my committee and being an invaluable source of expertise and encouragement throughout this journey. The pep talks, the practice runs, and reminders that I was capable of finishing were much-needed fuel for this journey. The unfailing love, patience, sacrifices, and support of my parents, Richard Scott, Sr. and Lillian Scott, and brother, Richard Scott, Jr., have been monumental in making this possible. I am deeply grateful that they’ve been a cornerstone throughout this process. I would like to say a very special thank you to the family that I found in the Black Graduate and Professional Student Association, who were integral in helping me grow as an academic, a leader, and a friend. I gratefully acknowledge the support of my amazing friends and who stepped in during the last years of my dissertation, nudging me closer to the finish line each time I felt like stopping. To everyone who edited a draft, sat with me at a coffee shop to write, sent an iii encouraging text, or withheld judgement when I cried at 2:30 am because I couldn’t remember what a null hypothesis was—thank you. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the unsung heroes who got me through the long nights: all of baristas and other coffee shop staff who saw me working until the wee hours of the morning. Thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda for the gift of Hamilton soundtrack, a masterpiece which served as a backdrop for countless writing sessions. The track, I Wrote My Way Out, eventually became my dissertation mantra: Running on empty, with nothing left in me but doubt, I picked up a pen and wrote my way out. I dedicate this dissertation to the memory of my loved ones who were present at the start of this journey, but unfortunately are no longer here physically to witness my completion: Carolyn Henry, Charles Henry, John L. Henry, Ethel Mae Henry, Willie Henry, and Dr. John Dagley. iv Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................ iii Chapter I: Introduction .................................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................................1 Supporting Theoretical Framework .............................................................................................5 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................................9 Research Hypotheses .................................................................................................................10 Chapter II: Literature Review ....................................................................................................13 Thin-ideal in Mass Media ..........................................................................................................13 Curvy Ideal .................................................................................................................................15 Racial Differences in Body Image Dissatisfaction.....................................................................19 Music and Body Image ..............................................................................................................24 Why Rap Music?........................................................................................................................29 Chapter III: Method ....................................................................................................................32 Participants .................................................................................................................................32 Measures ....................................................................................................................................36 Procedure ....................................................................................................................................43 Analyses .....................................................................................................................................45 Chapter IV: Results .....................................................................................................................46 Chapter V: Discussion .................................................................................................................58 References .....................................................................................................................................73 Appendices ....................................................................................................................................87 Appendix A: Curvy and Neutral Songs .....................................................................................87 Appendix B: Attention Checks ..................................................................................................88 Appendix C: Pre-Screen Questionnaire ....................................................................................89 Appendix D: Visual Analog Scale ............................................................................................90 Appendix E: Listening Patterns Questionnaire .........................................................................91 Appendix F: Demographic Questionnaire ..................................................................................92 Appendix G: Information Letter ................................................................................................93 The Effect of Rap Lyrics on Body Image Dissatisfaction among Black Women Statement of the Problem Body image dissatisfaction, defined as “displeasure