Examination of hair experiences among girls with Black/African American identities

Negative hair experiences can impact psychological well-being and are an integral part of development through childhood, adolescence, and beyond. The current study utilized a mixed-methods approach to capture the lived experiences of girls relating to their hair. Participants were 105 girls between the ages of 10-15 years old recruited via social media, email, and social organizations with Black/African American, or biracial com-munities. Satisfaction with natural hair, perceived bullying and teasing relating to hair, social comparisons, and pressure from family and friends were assessed. Approximately, 22% of 10-year olds, 14% of 11-year olds, 54% of 12-year olds, 35% of 13-year olds, and 32% of 14-year olds reported experiencing hair related teasing. Engaging in hair comparison with models/celebrities in the media and peers was significantly associated with less hair satisfaction. Similarly, girls that reported greater frequency of hair-related teasing also had significantly lower scores on hair satisfaction. Finally, having friends who like one's natural hair was significantly associated with higher hair satisfaction scores. Black/African American girls and their experiences around hair have been largely neglected in psychology and body image research, and more research on this topic is required to gain a better understanding of the role it plays in developing young girls.(c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. CC_BY_NC_ND_4.0

Automated summary

Negative hair experiences can have an impact on psychological well-being, especially during childhood and adolescence. This study found that many girls experience bullying and pressure related to their hair in their daily lives, which affects their satisfaction with their hair. Comparing hair with models/celebrities and peers is also associated with lower hair satisfaction among girls, while having friends who appreciate natural hair is associated with higher satisfaction.