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Body dissatisfaction and associated attitudes were studied in 18-24 years old women from universities in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina ( N = 118), João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil ( N = 81), and mid-Atlantic U.S. ( N = 102). Based on anecdotal reports, theoretical concerns, and empirical studies, we expected greater body dissatisfaction and negative body attitudes in our Argentine and Brazilian samples than in the U.S. sample. Body dissatisfaction was a significant problem in all samples, but we found few differences in levels of body dissatisfaction. The Argentine and Brazilian samples scored lower than the U.S. sample on measures associated with disordered eating, experienced less pressure to be thin, and were less likely to internalize the thin body ideal. Body shame was highest in the Brazilian sample and lowest in the Argentine sample. Cultural features in Argentina and Brazil that may offer some level of protection against the thin body ideal were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to adapt the Well-Being Inventory of Nacpal & Shell for using with Latinamerican youth and adolescents. The conceptual, semantic and operational equivalence of inventory prototype version was analized. The final version was administered to a sample of 1,891 students (730 Mexicans, 664 Argentines and 497 Brazilians) who also filled a set of recognized instruments developed to explore resilience, coping, sense of humor, emotional intelligence and cultural values. The exploration of factorial validity showed six orthogonal factors which explained almost 59% of total variance. Construct validity was demostrated through positive and significant correlations between subjective well-being and most of the variables considered. Reliability of the adapted instrument reached satisfactory levels. In light of the results some suggestions for future research in the area are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]