This study examined the relationship between acculturative stress, family cohesion, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorder symptomatology among 18 to 30 year-old Asian and Hispanic women living in the United States. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Societal, Attitudinal, Familial, and Environmental Acculturative Stress Scale (SAFE), Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV (FACES IV), Stunkard Figure Rating Scale, and Eating Attitudes Test 26 (EAT 26).

A significant positive relationship was found between acculturative stress and body dissatisfaction. Therefore, as acculturative stress increased, participants endorsed higher levels of body dissatisfaction. Pos hoc analysis revealed this correlation was true for Hispanic women only. A significant positive relationship was also found between acculturative stress and eating disorder symptomatology. Thus, participants who endorsed higher levels of acculturative stress also endorsed greater eating disorder symptomatology. Pos hoc analysis reveled this relationship was significant for Asian women only. On the contrary, the relationship between family cohesion and body dissatisfaction was not significant and the relationship between family cohesion and eating disorder symptomatology was not significant in the current study. Furthermore, there was no interaction between family cohesion and acculturative stress. Thus, these variables did not interact to significantly impact eating disorder symptomatology.