Stronger color evasive racial ideologies predict lower likelihood of open adoption placement with same-sex couples.

Although the adoption rate among same-sex couples has been increasing, limited research has focused on factors influencing decision making related to placing children with such couples, particularly from the standpoint of birth mothers. Additionally, there is a gap in the literature regarding how biases may influence birth mothers' decision to place their child with a same-sex couple. This study sought to examine the association between birth mothers' racial ideologies and their decision to voluntarily place their children with same-sex couples (n = 29) or mother-father couples (n = 354) during the adoption process. Results indicated that birth mothers with stronger color evasive racial attitudes were significantly less likely to place their children with same-sex couples. The need for additional research about the intersections among various forms of bias in the adoption process and the effect of potential interactions between homophobia and racism are discussed. Suggestions for professionals wishing to minimize homophobic and racist bias are provided.

Body dissatisfaction and ethnic identity are associated with loss of control eating among young adult African American men.

African American men are rarely the focus of attention in investigations of loss of control (LOC) eating. Theory and extant data support a robust link between body dissatisfaction and LOC eating behaviors in women. Ethnic identity may buffer this association, as the degree to which racially and ethnically diverse women identify with their ethnic group has been shown to decrease the relevancy of the Western culture body ideal, thereby decreasing disordered eating pathology. These associations have not been evaluated in African American men. The current study examined the link between body dissatisfaction and LOC eating frequency in 261 young African American men (1830 years old). Ethnic identity was evaluated as an independent variable and as a putative moderator. After adjusting for income, education, and body mass index, body dissatisfaction was significantly and positively associated with LOC eating frequency (p < .001). Ethnic identity did not function as a significant moderator (p = .84) but was significantly and inversely associated with LOC eating frequency (p < .001). Although longitudinal studies are needed, these data suggest that there may be multiple pathways through which young African American men engage in LOC eating. Similar to extant research with women and other ethnic groups, body dissatisfaction appears to play a role in the LOC eating of African American men. Additional research is needed to clarify the nature of the association between ethnic identity and LOC eating in this population.