Psychosocial predictors of skin bleaching among female students of the polytechnic, Ibadan, Nigeria

Skin bleaching is a rampant practice amongst dark -skinned people. This study investigates the psychosocial predictors of skin bleaching tendency among first year female polytechnic students. Using a cross-sectional design, 346 conveniently sampled participants (mean age 22.5, SD 2.8) responded to Skin Color Questionnaire and questions on demographic and psychosocial variables. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation Independent t-test, a one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data at p<0.05 statistical significance. The results indicated negative association between skin bleaching tendency and skin color satisfaction (r = - 0.255, p = 0.01) and darker skin color (r = -0.241, p = 0.01); Moreover, positive relationship exist between skin bleaching tendency and relationship status (r = 0.117, p < 0.05) and subjective intimacy level (r = 0.184, p < 0.01). Results also showed that lighter skinned participants have higher tendency to bleach their skin (t (2,317) = 3.65; p < .01) than the darker skinned participants while those with high skin color satisfaction significantly report lower skin bleaching tendency (F (5,319) = 5.320; p < .01). Psycho-education on self-acceptance, inculcation of the “black is beautiful” message and public enlightenment about adverse health consequences of skin bleaching should be undertaken.Keywords: skin bleaching, skin color satisfaction, relationship status, internalized racism, dermatology, complexio