Qualitative examination of stressors and facilitators of skin lightening practices on mental well-being among emerging Filipino adults

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Abstract Background Skin-lightening practices are common in many postcolonial settings, but less is known about how Filipino emerging adults experience these practices in relation to mental well-being. Objective This study explored how Filipino emerging adults with elevated depression, anxiety, or stress described skin color stigma, skin-lightening practices, and mental well-being. Methods This qualitative study formed the explanatory phase of a larger mixed-methods study among Filipino emerging adults. Sixteen participants aged 18 to 29 years were purposively selected from a quantitative survey cohort of 3,127 respondents, based on severe or extreme DASS-21 scores. Extreme case sampling was used to examine the experiences of participants most affected by psychological distress and to help explain patterns identified in the quantitative phase. In-depth virtual interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Analytic rigor was supported through full dataset familiarization, reflexive notes, team discussions, review of coding outputs, and assessment of information power. Results Four themes were generated: skin color as a socially imposed stressor; the dual psychological role of skin-lightening practices; familial colorism as the most proximal stressor; and resistance, coping, and conditional resilience. Participants described how lighter skin was linked to beauty, cleanliness, status, and social acceptance. Skin-lightening practices were experienced ambivalently, providing hope and perceived control for some participants while also producing disappointment, financial strain, and continued self-surveillance. Conclusion The findings suggest that skin-lightening practices among Filipino emerging adults should be understood within broader systems of colorism rather than as isolated cosmetic choices. Individual coping may offer temporary relief, but mental health promotion should also address familial, media, educational, clinical, and regulatory contexts that reinforce colorist beauty standards.

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