Religion and appearance investment: the mediating role of internalisation of socio-cultural pressures, in Jewish Israeli women

Jewish Israeli women from three denominations: Ultra-orthodox, modern-orthodox, and secular (N = 483), completed an online survey measuring levels of internalisation of thin-ideal, socio-cultural pressures, and appearance investment. Findings showed that the secular group was higher in internalisation than both religious groups, and higher in appearance investment compared to the Ultra-orthodox group. Moreover, media pressures had the largest influence over the secular group. In a further examination of the role of internalisation as a mediator in the relationship between socio-cultural pressures and appearance investment, different patterns were found for the different denominations. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the possible protective power of religion, while indicating the media as the main culprit negatively influencing body image dissatisfaction.