The Body as an Object of Stigmatization in Cultures of Guilt and Shame: A Polish–Vietnamese Comparison

Małgorzata Lipowska, Ha Truong Thi Khanh, Mariusz Lipowski, Joanna Różycka-Tran, Mariola Bidzan and Thu Tran Ha
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Małgorzata Lipowska: Institute of Psychology, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland
Ha Truong Thi Khanh: Faculty of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi 336, Vietnam
Mariusz Lipowski: Department of Health Psychology, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
Joanna Różycka-Tran: Institute of Psychology, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland
Mariola Bidzan: Institute of Psychology, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland
Thu Tran Ha: Faculty of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi 336, Vietnam

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-17

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to examine cross-cultural differences in body stigmatization between the individualistic Christian culture of guilt (Poland) and the collectivistic Buddhist/Confucian culture of honor and shame (Vietnam). The study included 1290 university students from Poland ( n = 586) and Vietnam ( n = 704). Subjects filled in the body esteem scale and the perceived stigmatization questionnaire, and body measurements were collected to calculate anthropometric indices. Participants from Vietnam were less satisfied with their appearance than their Polish peers. Men in both countries assessed themselves more favorably. No anthropometric index predicted body esteem in Vietnamese women, while only indices related to fat levels were predictors in Polish women. Men with a V-shaped body assessed themselves as stronger and as having a better physical condition. A possible explanation of the observed cross-cultural differences is that interdependent self-construal makes young adults in collectivistic societies more susceptible to criticism, and the Confucian values of modesty and shame lead to them not perceiving their bodies as sexual objects. The Christian sense of guilt does not influence the perception of sexuality. Absence of friendly behavior mediated the relation between anthropometric indices and body esteem in both cultures.

Keywords: body stigma; body image; cross-cultural psychology; gender differences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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