Growing up with dark complexion in Pakistan: a qualitative study (original) (raw)
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The present study was conducted to explore the effect of dark complexion on individual's self -esteem, selfefficacy and level of confidence. It also explored the significance of complexion in considering marriage proposals, marital adjustment and gender differences. The sample of ten individuals was taken which include: three males and three females with dark complexion, parents of a dark girl and parents of a fair boy.
2021
Body-image cognitive distortions and self-esteem are two socially important parameters which are reported to be associated with the skin color satisfaction in the young people. However, much of the research till date has been conducted on the populations of color in the color-stratified Western societies and on women, with contradictory results. To better understand the depths of associations between these parameters, we investigated whether greater skin color satisfaction is connected to lower body-image cognitive distortions and higher self-esteem among the young Indian men and women. Data were collected from 145 participants (male 73 and female 72), between ages 18 and 26 years. Results showed a general preference for lighter skin color among the participants with men, in our sample, expressed significant negative and positive associations of skin color satisfaction respectively with body-image cognitive distortions and self-esteem. However, skin color satisfaction is not a good predictor of self-esteem in our study, unlike the parameter body-image cognitive distortions. The findings are discussed in lights of self-perception and mental health of the young adult Indian men and women in a multi-colored society