LAUSR

Disordered eating (DE) and body image concerns (BICs) are prevalent among sexual minority women (SMW). We systematically reviewed the literature on correlates of DE and BICs among SMW (k = 39 studies) and identified direct and indirect pathways associated with DE and BICs. Data extracted from studies included sample characteristics, measures, and direct and indirect effects associated with DE and BICs. Many correlates of DE and BICs (i.e., sociocultural variables, low social support, high negative affect, and low self-esteem) among SMW were similar to correlates of DE and BICs among heterosexual women. Also, our review showed that gender-related factors (e.g., sexual objectification, gender roles, and masculinity/femininity) and sexual-orientation-related factors (e.g., sexual minority stress) are associated with DE and BICs. Based on our review, we developed a model with several pathways linking gender- and sexual-orientation-related experiences and DE among SMW. Specifically, the model suggests that gender- and sexual-orientation-related experiences are independently and interactively associated with internalization of sociocultural norms, social resources, and maladaptive emotion regulation, which, in turn, are associated with negative affect and BICs, which are then associated with DE.