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Attractive celebrity and peer images on Instagram: Effect on women's mood and body image

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Abstract

A large body of research has documented that exposure to images of thin fashion models contributes to women's body dissatisfaction. The present study aimed to experimentally investigate the impact of attractive celebrity and peer images on women's body image. Participants were 138 female undergraduate students who were randomly assigned to view either a set of celebrity images, a set of equally attractive unknown peer images, or a control set of travel images. All images were sourced from public Instagram profiles. Results showed that exposure to celebrity and peer images increased negative mood and body dissatisfaction relative to travel images, with no significant difference between celebrity and peer images. This effect was mediated by state appearance comparison. In addition, celebrity worship moderated an increased effect of celebrity images on body dissatisfaction. It was concluded that exposure to attractive celebrity and peer images can be detrimental to women's body image.

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... A pesar de la creciente influencia de TikTok, la evidencia empírica sobre su impacto en la autoestima y la satisfacción corporal, especialmente en contextos regionales como el de Chile, es limitada. La mayoría de las investigaciones existentes se han centrado en plataformas más longevas como Facebook (Eckler, Kalyango, & Paasch, 2017;Tiggemann & Slater, 2013;Vogel, Rose, Roberts, & Eckles, 2014) e Instagram (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Castellanos Silva & Steins, 2023;Mancin, Cerea, Bottesi, & Ghisi, 2024;Muñoz Parralo & Gómez Bujedo, 2023;Parsons, Alden, & Biesanz, 2021;Samson & Zaitsoff, 2023;Zerhouni, Flaudias, Barré, & Rodgers, 2022), y se han realizado principalmente en Estados Unidos y Canadá (Bissonette Mink & Szymanski, 2022;Dhadly, Kinnear, & Bodell, 2023;Jung, Barron, Lee, & Swami, 2022;Meng, 2023;Samson & Zaitsoff, 2023;Vo-gel et al., 2014), Europa Occidental (Castellanos Silva & Steins, 2023;Joiner et al., 2023;Mancin et al., 2024;Parsons et al., 2021;Zerhouni et al., 2022), y Australia (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Tiggemann & Slater, 2013). Por otra parte, muchos de los estudios realizados en esta temática han utilizado metodologías correlacionales, como encuestas transversales (Bissonette Mink & Szymanski, 2022;Eckler et al., 2017;Jung et al., 2022;Lukman, Muis, & Hamid, 2023;Tiggemann & Slater, 2013), que, aunque útiles, no permiten establecer relaciones de causalidad. ...
... A pesar de la creciente influencia de TikTok, la evidencia empírica sobre su impacto en la autoestima y la satisfacción corporal, especialmente en contextos regionales como el de Chile, es limitada. La mayoría de las investigaciones existentes se han centrado en plataformas más longevas como Facebook (Eckler, Kalyango, & Paasch, 2017;Tiggemann & Slater, 2013;Vogel, Rose, Roberts, & Eckles, 2014) e Instagram (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Castellanos Silva & Steins, 2023;Mancin, Cerea, Bottesi, & Ghisi, 2024;Muñoz Parralo & Gómez Bujedo, 2023;Parsons, Alden, & Biesanz, 2021;Samson & Zaitsoff, 2023;Zerhouni, Flaudias, Barré, & Rodgers, 2022), y se han realizado principalmente en Estados Unidos y Canadá (Bissonette Mink & Szymanski, 2022;Dhadly, Kinnear, & Bodell, 2023;Jung, Barron, Lee, & Swami, 2022;Meng, 2023;Samson & Zaitsoff, 2023;Vo-gel et al., 2014), Europa Occidental (Castellanos Silva & Steins, 2023;Joiner et al., 2023;Mancin et al., 2024;Parsons et al., 2021;Zerhouni et al., 2022), y Australia (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Tiggemann & Slater, 2013). Por otra parte, muchos de los estudios realizados en esta temática han utilizado metodologías correlacionales, como encuestas transversales (Bissonette Mink & Szymanski, 2022;Eckler et al., 2017;Jung et al., 2022;Lukman, Muis, & Hamid, 2023;Tiggemann & Slater, 2013), que, aunque útiles, no permiten establecer relaciones de causalidad. ...
... En este sentido, existen diferentes factores que pueden influir en la satisfacción corporal, como la influencia familiar y social. Pero entre ellos, se ha señalado que uno de los más importantes son los medios de comunicación, que muestran imágenes de modelos y famosas con cuerpos delgados y normativos de forma continuada (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Fanjul Peyró & González Oñate, 2011). De hecho, el estudio de Lluch Rubio, Martorell Castellano y Serra Folch (2023) encontró que el 70% de los personajes femeninos en publicidad tenían un cuerpo delgado, mientras que la presencia de cuerpos no normativos era mínima (6%). ...
Article
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Esta investigación analiza cómo la apariencia física de influencers en TikTok afecta la autoestima e imagen corporal de mujeres jóvenes. Para ello, se realizó un experimento online con tres grupos experimentales (cuerpo normativo, cuerpo no normativo y grupo control). Los resultados muestran que la apariencia física de las influencers no impacta directamente en la autopercepción de las usuarias, pero sí de manera indirecta. Las jóvenes se identifican más con la influencer de cuerpo no normativo y esto a su vez mejora su autoestima y su satisfacción corporal. Este estudio muestra la importancia de promover la diversidad corporal en redes sociales.
... In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of sociocultural factors' influence on body dissatisfaction (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Frederick et al., 2022). The tripartite influence model highlights the significance of media and peer influence in the formation and perpetuation of body dissatisfaction, which fosters interest in body modification strategies such as cosmetic surgery (Menzel et al., 2011). ...
... In particular, on beauty-and fashion-centric social media platforms, users are increasingly exposed to information about beauty ideals, which have a well-documented influence on their desire for cosmetic surgery. Numerous studies on young women support this finding, illustrating that exposure to appearance-related social media content (e.g., taking selfies and browsing beauty-related content), is associated with consideration of cosmetic surgery (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Cohen et al., 2017;Seekis et al., 2020). Furthermore, peers are likely to influence the development of body image among young women. ...
... Furthermore, peers are likely to influence the development of body image among young women. An experimental study conducted by Brown and Tiggemann (2016) with young Australian women revealed that exposure to attractive peer images can negatively impact women's body image. Additionally, Sharp et al. (2014) further demonstrated that discussions regarding appearance with peers were positively correlated with body dissatisfaction among young women. ...
Article
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Existing research has related social media ideal beauty content to cosmetic surgery consideration; however, studies on how peer conversations regarding ideal beauty content on socsial media affect cosmetic surgery consideration are lacking. Drawing on components of the tripartite influence model, this study aims to integrate social media and peer appearance conversations into a coherent model to explore their combined impact on women’s consideration of cosmetic surgery. A sample of 2,126 women aged 18–30 years (Mage = 23.36) completed measures of beauty social media attention, peer appearance conversations, peer appearance comparisons, internalization of beauty ideals, body dissatisfaction, and consideration of cosmetic surgery. The findings indicated that attention to beauty content on social media directly affected consideration of cosmetic surgery while peer appearance conversations had an indirect effect. Additionally, peer appearance comparisons and the internalization of beauty ideals mediated the relationship between peer appearance conversations and body dissatisfaction. The findings provide new insights into the links between attention to the growing beauty trend on social media and consideration of cosmetic surgery. Furthermore, investigating the role of peer appearance conversations is conducive to guiding future interventions aimed at promoting positive body image among young women.
... Social comparison theory explains the ''sociocultural factors-comparison-body dissatisfaction'' mediation process by suggesting that people compare themselves with individuals due to the drive for self-evaluation, especially when lacking available objective criteria, and they generate dissatisfaction with the self when the comparison shows a great difference between the self and the comparison target (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Festinger, 1954;Lee & Lee, 2021). Comparison frequency and consequences vary with targets. ...
... The present study focused on Chinese college students' SN use behaviors and reactions related to three target groups: same-gender acquaintances, including friends, classmates, teachers, and other elders; same-gender celebrities, including stars, fashion models and SN influencers (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Lou, 2022); and samegender online strangers. The social distance to respondents could distinguish the three target groups. ...
... ''Worship'' was conceptualized as considering celebrities ''important'' and ''relevant,'' similar to our research's interaction dimension of social distance. Women with lower levels of celebrity worship felt less dissatisfied after viewing celebrity images than women with higher levels of celebrity worship (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016), which might explain our results. Another reason was that small gaps in comparisons were more harmful than huge gaps. ...
Article
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In times of the rise of the “A4 waist” trend on social networks (SNs), concerns have been raised over appearance-related content’s adverse effects on body image and well-being in parasocial relationships. We conducted a survey on Chinese college students (N = 333) to examine the effects of comparison targets (same-gender acquaintances, celebrities, and online strangers) based on social comparison theory. The results indicate that, in line with construal-level theory, students paid more attention to the appearance-related content of same-gender acquaintances than that of the other two target groups. Surprisingly, small gaps in physical attraction between the students and acquaintances generated more appearance concern than the huge gaps between the students and celebrities, which could be explained by the “narcissism of small differences” theory. We developed existing comparison target studies by including the impact of online strangers to adapt to the current SN environment. Although the students paid the least attention to strangers’ SN appearance-related content, exposure to such content had a positive correlation with appearance concern. Regarding gender differences, females devoted more to SN appearance-related content than males across all three target groups, but the concern generated from viewing such content differed only when the targets were celebrities (females > males). The present study expands social comparison theory by introducing a two-dimensional (similarity and interaction forms) concept of “social distance.” Our findings suggest that socially close targets received more attention and comparisons and generated more concern about appearance.
... Pedalino and Camerini [28] found that young females, when browsing Instagram, often found themselves involuntarily comparing themselves to celebrities, social media influencers and peers. Similarly, researchers have [29] examined the effect of celebrity images, compared with equally attractive peer and control images, on women's body image. They found increased body dissatisfaction following exposure to attractive celebrity and peer images compared to control images, mediated by social comparison, indicating that exposure to attractive celebrities and peers can have an immediate negative effect on women's mood and body image. ...
... In previous research [29], control images were travel-related, some including an individual. However, for many travelling may be viewed as an unattainable luxury, potentially resulting in participants feeling inferior to individuals in [50] how easily travel posts on social media can trigger upward comparison due to the envy they can cause, suggesting such control images may potentially have elicited upward social comparison instead of no comparison, which could have subsequently influenced reported body-esteem levels. ...
... Consequently, the current study carefully chose control images to avoid eliciting any emotional response, including images of a stone wall or grass, to remove any risk of upward or downward comparison, and therefore not jeopardise the study's results. Finally, in two similar previous research studies [29,43] a female-only sample was used, potentially meaning their results are not widely generalisable. To avoid this and ensure a wider variety of participants, the current study aimed to recruit both males and females, and ensured the target images used were relevant for both genders by including photos of each, as well as images showing relationships, for all comparison levels. ...
Article
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Previous research has shown that online social comparison can affect perceptions of self-esteem and body image. This study focussed on social comparison on Instagram and its relationship with levels of self-esteem and body-esteem. Levels of self-esteem and body-esteem were measured using self-report questionnaires, before and after viewing Instagram images eliciting upward, downward, or no comparison. Statistical analysis showed self-esteem and body-esteem scores significantly increased after downward comparison, with no change in scores following a neutral condition. Body-esteem scores significantly decreased after upward comparison, whilst self-esteem scores did not. Support for social comparison theory is provided. Future research and implications are discussed, such as educating young people about posting and viewing of overly positive images on social media. Social media organisations could provide access to resources which provide advice about mental health issues and support for individuals wanting to discuss body image issues. Future research could potentially establish if participants’ views about eating change after engaging in differing levels of social comparison on Instagram.
... Hogue and Mills (2019) found the perfectly thin bodies displayed on Instagram bring about negative feelings and body frustration among young women. Such ideally thin bodies do not necessarily have to belong to celebrities, models, or Instagram influencers but also to female peers of the same age (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Fardouly & Holland, 2018). According to Gobin, McComb, and Mills (2022) modern social media platforms can increase the chances of body dissatisfaction among younger females once they have compared themselves to the figures displayed. ...
... Constant exposure to slim bodies on Instagram was reportedly connected with reduced body satisfaction, self confidence and cheerfulness ; the previous research also confirms those findings and stated that women are no longer interested in comparing their bodies to those of other women (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Hogue & Mills, 2019). The reason is that slim Instagram images are considered a threat to the ordinary women's attitudes towards their bodies, and they try to avoid comparison in order not to lose the competition. ...
... Based on the mood management theory of Frederick et al. (2017), being constantly exposed to idealised slim figures in the media can lead to body dissatisfaction and lower spirit which is consistent with the influence of traditional media on young women (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Frederick et al., 2017;Hogue & Mills, 2019). Consequently, young adults are more influenced by Instagram use because they are the largest group of users, ranging from 25 to 34 years old (Dixon, 2022). ...
Article
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The present study investigates the direct effect of Instagram use on various ways of losing weight, examines the mediation effects of body satisfaction and body image, and the moderator effects of gender and marital status. A total of 520 people who both used Instagram and undertook body surgery participated in the study and filled in the online and printed versions of our questionnaire. Partial least squares regression was used to test the research hypotheses and the relationships among the variables. The results revealed that body image mediated the effect of the purpose of Instagram use on ways of losing weight; however, no mediation effect of body image and body satisfaction was found for patterns and purposes of Instagram use apart from exercise. The relationship between the purposes and pattern of Instagram usage on body satisfaction was significant. However, patterns of Instagram use had no impact on body image, while this relationship for purpose was significant. The implications of the study are discussed.
... While existing research has documented the negative impact of appearance-centric media use on young women's body image (e.g. Z. Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Dignard & Jarry, 2021), this may not be the case for beauty tutorials. Instead of being exposed passively to beauty tutorials, young women actively engage with them for entertainment, self-improvement, or social interaction (White, 2018). ...
... Extant research has extensively documented the detrimental effects of appearance-centric media exposure, including greater negative mood (Z. Brown & Tiggemann, 2016), lower appearance selfesteem (Dignard & Jarry, 2021), and stronger body dissatisfaction (Tiggemann & Zaccardo, 2015). Nevertheless, there is less conclusive evidence regarding the relationship between media engagement and appearance perception. ...
... Previous research has predominantly focused on how appearance-based comparison against unrealistically idealized body images might negatively impact women's psychological well-being (Z. Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Dignard & Jarry, 2021;Tiggemann & Zaccardo, 2015). Nevertheless, the target and direction of social comparison could vary across contexts, especially when digital platforms and the wanghong economy have enabled many grassroots individuals to become influential online content creators (Guan, 2021). ...
... Alanyazında beden algısıyla ilgili yapılan ulusal ve uluslararası çalışmalara bakıldığında olumsuz beden algısı; düşük düzeyde yaşam doyumuyla (Çetinkaya, 2004;, düşük düzeyde atılganlıkla , depresyon belirtileriyle (Demirel M. , 2024), yüksek düzeyde depresif mizaçla (Güzel, 2016), yüksek düzeyde sinirli mizaçla (Güzel, 2016), yüksek düzeyde endişeli mizaçla (Güzel, 2016), yüksek düzeyde siklomatik mizaçla (Güzel, 2016), düşük düzeyde hipertimik mizaçla (Güzel, 2016), düşük düzeyde narsistik özellikle (Artan, 2017), düşük düzeyde cinsel doyumla (Kara, 2019), düşük düzeyde öz-duyarlıkla (Işık E. , 2018), düşük düzeyde özgüven ile (Oğuzhan, 2021), düşük düzeyde iletişim becerileriyle (Hacıoğlu, 2017), kimlik problemleriyle (Balkaya ve Ceyhan, 2007;Chase, 2001;Kamps ve Berman, 2011;Palmeroni vd., 2020;Papadimitropoulou, 2021;Talu, 2020;Palmeroni vd., 2020;Wängqvist ve Frisén, 2013), olumsuz yeme tutumlarıyla (Işık E. , 2018;, beden organlarından memnun olmamayla (Çetinkaya, 2004), zayıflıkla aşırı uğraşla , beden ideallerinin içselleştirilmesiyle (Vuong vd., 2021), anksiyeteyle (Demirel M. , 2024), sosyal görünüş kaygısıyla (Atalay, 2023;, düşük benlik algısıyla (Artan, 2017;Aydoğan D. , 2024;Çetinkaya, 2004;Chase, 2001;, sosyal medyada görünüş karşılaştırmalarıyla (Brown ve Tiggemann, 2016;Hendrickse vd., 2017;Martinac Dorčić vd., 2023;Tosun ve Çoban, 2020) ve yüksek düzeyde görünümle ilişkili sosyal medya bilinciyle (Kahramanoğlu, 2023), internet bağımlılığıyla (Duygun, 2017;Yiğitcan, 2021) ve sosyal medya bağımlılığıyla (Aydoğan, 2024;Çakmak, 2020;Delgado-Rodriguez vd., 2022;Gökkaya vd., 2020;Gülüm ve Ünal, 2021;Öztürk, 2023;Yener, 2023) ilişkili olduğu görülmüştür. ...
... 21. yüzyılda internet teknolojileri ve sosyal medya platformlarının yaygınlaşması, insanların çevrimiçi ortamda daha fazla vakit geçirmelerine, sosyal medya platformlarında maruz kalınan içeriklerde sergilenen ideal beden standartları nedeniyle bedenlerine yönelik olumsuz tutumlar geliştirmelerine yol açmaktadır. Literatürde yapılan çalışmalar, sosyal medya platformlarında paylaşılan kusursuz görünüşlerin beden memnuniyetsizliğine neden olduğunu bulgulamıştır (Brown ve Tiggemann, 2016;Delgado-Rodriguez vd., 2022;Fardouly vd., 2015;Hendrickse vd., 2017;Hogue ve Mills, 2019;. Öte yandan, ideal beden özelliklerine sahip olmayan bireyler sosyal medya platformlarında fotoğraf düzenleme uygulamaları kullanarak bedenlerindeki kusurları ...
Thesis
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This research aims to examine the relationships between identity statuses, social media addiction levels, and body perception among individuals in the young adulthood period, aged 18-35, living in Turkey. In addition to this main objective, the concept of '’appearance-related social media awareness'’ was also included in the study during the literature review. The sample group of the study consists of 301 participants. Data were collected from the participants online using "Personal Information Form", "Ego Identity Process Scale," "Body Image Scale," "Social Media Addiction Scale," and "Appearance Related Social Media Awareness Scale" and analyzed using IBM SPSS Pearson Correlation Analysis, Regression Analysis, and One-Way Analysis of Variance were applied in the data analysis. According to the results of the correlation analysis, it was found that as the social media addiction level increased, the body perception of young adult individuals became more negative, and their awareness of appearance on social media significantly increased. Furthermore, individuals who used social media in a controlled manner and had a low addiction level showed higher identity commitment behaviors. It was also found that individuals with negative attitudes towards their bodies thought more about their appearance on social media, but contrary to expectations, this finding was not statistically significant. It was observed that identity statuses and identity commitment behaviors had no significant effect on young adults' awareness of their appearance on social media, although individuals with high identity exploration behaviors thought more about their appearance. As a result of regression analysis, it was found that identity commitment behaviors, body image, and awareness of appearance on social vii media were significant predictors of social media addiction. When examining the variables according to identity statuses, it was found that individuals with moratorium and diffuse identity statuses were more addicted to social media platforms, while individuals with foreclosure and achieved identity statuses had more positive attitudes toward their bodies. The study concluded that social media use has a negative impact on identity development processes and attitudes toward the body. The findings of the research were discussed based on recent studies in the relevant literature.
... Research has demonstrated a strong positive correlation between Social Comparison Based on Appearance (SCBA) and appearance rejection sensitivity (ARS) as well as associated dissatisfaction (Carter & Vartanian, 2022). For instance, young women who view images of attractive celebrities and peers on social media report increased negative affect and body dissatisfaction, particularly when engaging in self-comparison (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Hogue & Mills, 2019;McComb & Mills, 2021). Notably, these detrimental effects are not confined to one gender; SCBA and internalization of appearance ideals adversely impact both males and females (Jarman et al., 2021). ...
... On social media, they are exposed to a vast array of videos and photographs of popular people, fostering social comparison and reinforcing appearance ideals as standards for social appearance (Monks et al., 2021), and previous studies have found the significant and positive association between such social comparison based on appearance (SCBA) and ARS or related dissatisfaction (Carter & Vartanian, 2022). For instance, young women who are exposed to images of attractive celebrities and peers on social media experience increased negative affect and greater body dissatisfaction (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016), especially when they compare themselves to these images (Hogue & Mills, 2019;McComb & Mills, 2021). Recent evidence also shows that the negative effect of appearance-ideal internalization and SCBA is equivalently prominent across gender (Jarman et al., 2021). ...
... We would expect social media users to engage in upward comparisons with celebrities they follow on TikTok, which could lead to body dissatisfaction (Myers & Crowther, 2009). In line with this finding, among college-aged women, exposure to celebrity Instagram images increased body dissatisfaction and decreased body appreciation (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016). Existing empirical evidence also supports the notion that following celebrities might be related to attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. ...
... We also found that following more celebrity accounts on TikTok was positively related to body dissatisfaction, which, in turn, was related to greater acceptance of cosmetic surgery. This finding is in line with extant research that has shown that exposure to more celebrity images is positively associated with the acceptance of cosmetic surgery on Instagram (e.g., Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Di Gesto et al., 2022). Indeed, Swami (2009) found that celebrity worship explained about half the variance in acceptance of cosmetic surgery among women, a finding which was corroborated by Jung and Hwang (2016). ...
Article
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In light of extant research demonstrating that social media influences young women’s body image ideals, the present research examines whether these findings extend to TikTok. Three types of appearance-related engagement on TikTok (i.e., leaving appearance-related comments on others’ TikTok videos, following health/fitness TikTok accounts, and following celebrity TikTok accounts) were investigated as correlates of young women’s body image and acceptance of cosmetic surgery. Based on a survey of 424 young adult women, leaving appearance-related comments on others’ TikTok videos and following health/fitness TikTok accounts were related to the acceptance of cosmetic surgery. Moreover, body dissatisfaction mediated the link between following celebrity TikTok accounts and acceptance of cosmetic surgery.
... Experimental studies have increasingly shown that frequent upward appearance comparisons on social media led to immediate increases in negative mood and BD (e.g., [12,13]). However, these studies often lack ecological validity. ...
... Notwithstanding the aforementioned limitations, our study had notable strengths. First, in a field dominated by experimental methodology (e.g., [12,49]) we employed EMA which provided naturalistic, micro-longitudinal data. This enabled the novel assessment of temporal bidirectional patterns and momentary processes, whilst increasing ecological validity and the generalisability of findings [50]. ...
Article
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We assessed the bi-directional relationships between upward appearance comparisons on social media with body dissatisfaction (BD) and disordered eating (DE) in women’s daily lives and the potential moderating effect of trait self-objectification on these relationships. Women (N = 315) completed a baseline measure of trait self-objectification, then reported momentary experiences of social media-based appearance comparisons (upward, lateral, downward), body satisfaction, and DE urges (restrict food intake, exercise, overeat) for seven days. We hypothesized that upward (relative to no) comparisons would predict lower body satisfaction and higher DE urges, while lateral and downward (relative to no) comparisons would predict higher body satisfaction and lower DE urges. We expected these relationships to be bi-directional and moderated by trait self-objectification. Multilevel modelling results revealed complex bi-directional relationships. Upward comparisons predicted lower body satisfaction and increased urges to restrict food intake, which in turn predicted increased upward comparisons. Unexpectedly, urges to restrict food intake predicted all comparison types. We observed somewhat unanticipated bi-directional relationships between lateral comparisons and exercise urges, and between downward comparisons and body satisfaction. Uni-directional relationships emerged between upward comparisons and the urge to overeat. Trait self-objectification moderated very few of these relationships. These findings support the non-uniform impact of appearance comparisons on body image and eating concerns and highlight the complexity of daily social media-body image dynamics. Future research using refined measures over extended periods is needed to elucidate these relationships further and inform targeted interventions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40337-024-01096-8.
... While previous studies tested the amount of time spent using social media (e.g., [28]) or specific patterns, like problematic SMU (e.g., [42]), we suggest distinguishing between different patterns of uses, following the digital Goldilocks hypothesis [5] to investigate what pater may promote body image. In addition, while other studies link body image with a particular act of posting selfies on social media (e.g., [43]), we aim to examine whether communicating through social media can be associated with the risk of poor body image. ...
... In addition, girls were also more prone to poorer body image [56]. Previous studies found that exposure to idealised images on Instagram resulted in increased body dissatisfaction among young women regardless of the target girl (e.g., a peer known to participants, a same-aged girl peer that was unknown to participants, a famous girl Instagram influencer or a girl celebrity) [43,57]. It is also known that the pressure to meet appearance ideals represented by thin and fit bodies is highly salient in young women and adolescent girls with frequent SMU [58,59]. ...
Article
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Objectives Social media has become integrated into adolescents’ lives and influences body image perceptions. Our study examined four patterns of social media use (SMU): non-active, active, intensive, and problematic. We hypothesised that intensive SMU and problematic SMU would be associated with negative body image (negative subjective body weight) and over/underestimated body weight congruence, compared to non-active and active SMU. In addition, we expect these associations to be stronger for girls. Methods Data from 190,892 respondents aged 11, 13, and 15 from 42 countries involved in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study were analysed. Results Findings revealed higher rates of intensive or problematic SMU among adolescents who perceived themselves as too fat or too thin. Two-level regression analyses showed intensive and problematic SMU as more likely to perceive themselves as too fat or too thin than active users. The association was significant among intensive and problematic girl social media users, whereas, among boys, the relationship was only significant for problematic users. Conclusion Our findings highlight the importance of assessing SMU patterns to evaluate associations with body image.
... Thus, adolescents and young adults (particularly women) often find themselves in a constant self-evaluation of their physical appearance through comparison on SM with users who meet the socio-cultural ideals of slim beauty of the current era. On many occasions, the number of "likes" is equated with beauty status or self-esteem, even becoming a measure of personal merit on SM (38)(39)(40). ...
Article
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Problematic Internet use has been associated with eating disorders. An increasing number of young adults are using social media, and a variety of content promoting anorexia and bulimia (pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia) has been identified. The aim of this study is to qualitatively analyze this content to understand how it affects individuals with eating disorders or those at risk. Content selection was carried out through non-random intentional sampling and based on the following criteria: the most prominent content on each platform in terms of the number of interactions, created within less than 5 years old, and displaying pro-ana and/or pro-mia content in English or Spanish. In total, 6 digital platforms were analyzed, including 57 resources (videos, images, blog entries, chat messages, PDF files, and group descriptions). The discourse was analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The analyzed content includes numerous tips and tricks promoting eating disorders. Additionally, a widespread positive sentiment towards low weight and thinness was observed, while negative sentiments were associated with eating, gaining weight, etc. It has been demonstrated that self-esteem in adolescents and young adults can be affected by social media use, leading to body dissatisfaction that may result in increased use of these platforms with access to pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia content, which can contribute to the development of these disorders. The continuous variation and removal of this content, and the health problems it poses, requires further study of these digital resources and how users access them, in order to establish preventive measures to ensure health in the future.
... This type of activity has been shown to be specifically related to negative body image (Fardouly & Holland, 2018;Fardouly & Vartanian, 2016;Feltman & Szymanski, 2018;Slater et al., 2017;Wick & Keel, 2020). This is due not only to exposure to photographs of models or celebrities that meet the standards of the beauty ideal (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016), but also exposure to idealized images of peers (Fardouly & Holland, 2018). ...
Article
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The aim of the present study was to validate the Spanish version of the Body Image State Scale (BISS) in a sample of Spanish males and females and to examine its psychometric properties. We evaluated the BISS as a measure of body image state using an experimental task to assess context sensitivity after exposure to attractive Instagram photographs. The sample consisted of 533 participants (M = 22.40, SD = 3.52). The unidimensional structure of the BISS as found by the authors of the original scale was corroborated. The BISS showed satisfactory internal consistency and full scalar invariance across sex. Negative relationships were found with a measure of dysmorphic concerns (Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire, [DCQ]) and body mass index (BMI). Mean difference analyses showed that participants in the experimental group evaluated their physical appearance as being worse after exposure to photographs of young men considered attractive. The Spanish validation of the BISS seems adequate for assessing state body image in the general population, opening a wide field of clinical and research applications.
... Pryde and Prichard (2022) found that body dissatisfaction increased among women after brief exposure to TikTok fitspiration videos compared to art videos. Similarly, undergraduate women reported increases in body dissatisfaction following exposure to celebrity and peer images on Instagram compared to travel images (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016), while Lowe-Calverly and Grieve (2021) revealed that images of idealized influencers (regardless of their popularity) led to greater body dissatisfaction compared to nature images. Moreover, Seekis and Kennedy (2023) found that undergraduate women who viewed just seven minutes of beauty content on TikTok experienced higher appearance anxiety and shame compared to those who viewed self-compassion or travel content. ...
... Moreover, a recent review of the experimental literature documented a negative impact of exposure to upward comparison targets on mental health outcomes, including body image (McComb et al., 2023). Taken together, these research have highlighted an association between upwards appearance comparison and increased levels of body dissatisfaction, weight and shape preoccupation, appearance ideal internalization, and decreased levels of physical attractiveness, body-esteem and positive body image perceptions (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;De Vries & Kühne, 2015;Feingold & Mazzella, 1998;Leahey & Crowther, 2008;Meier & Gray, 2014). Thus, previous research has supported a relationship between engaging in social comparison on social media and increased body image concerns. ...
Article
Research has found that high social media use is associated with a greater tendency to compare oneself with others, which in turn may heighten body image concerns and problematic eating behaviours. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the mean association between online social comparison and body image concerns, eating disorder behaviours and positive body image. Eligible articles published between 2008 and 2024 were searched for in scientific databases. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the direct correlation between social comparison and body image and eating disorder outcomes. Results from 83 studies with 55,440 participants indicated that the weighted average correlation between higher online social comparison and greater body image concerns was significant (r = .454; 95 % CI = 0.409-0.498), as was the correlation between higher social comparison and eating disorder symptoms (r = 0.36; 95 % CI: 0.28-0.43). The mean association between higher social comparison and lower positive body image was also significant (r =-0.242; 95 % CI: − 0.329 to − 0.155). Meta-regression analysis revealed that the quality of studies, type of social media, country, type of social comparison, percentage of female participants moderated the associations. Findings revealed a moderate size association between higher online social comparison tendencies and worse body image and eating disorder symptoms outcomes, highlighting the need to develop interventions and policies to minimize appearance comparisons on social media.
... VAS-participant's body shape concerns if they were able to exercise at that moment Time by Baseline-EDI-Body dissatisfaction interaction (F (1,46) = 5.32, p =.02) and Fig. 2 Repeated measures ANCOVA for Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores before and after the uncertainty induction procedure exposure to content unrelated to body image (e.g., Brown & Tiggemann, 2016). The changing in the standards of beauty in the last years may be another hypothesis that suggest why IU may be more related body shape concerns rather than body weight concerns. ...
Article
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The temporal links between intolerance of uncertainty (IU), body dissatisfaction and compulsive exercise in non-clinical populations remains underexplored. The current study aimed to explore the impact of intolerance of uncertainty states (high vs. low) on weight and shape concerns and exercise attitudes. Fifty-one females (Mage = 20.59 years) were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Increasing IU or Reducing IU. An established IU induction paradigm was used to manipulate perceptions of uncertainty. In the first session, baseline validated measures of compulsive exercise, body dissatisfaction, negative affect and IU were collected. During the second session, the participants’ mood, body weight and shape concerns and their desire to exercise to control weight, were measured pre- and post- manipulation, using Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). No differences between the two groups were found in baseline measures or pre- VAS scores. The Reducing IU group reported a significant decrease in: (1) their concerns towards body shape, and (2) body shape concerns if they were able to exercise compared to the Increasing IU group, even controlling for baseline levels of body dissatisfaction, exercise weight control and IU. The findings suggest that low IU-states may lead to decreased body shape concerns and the desire to exercise driven by shape concerns among females.
... For girls who frequently compare themselves upward, this can lead to decreased body satisfaction and increased anxiety due to the disconnect between their online and offline images. Subsequently, this can lead to social fatigue, social anxiety, and other adverse emotions [19]. They may also experience heightened anxiety because of the differences that exist between social comparisons. ...
Article
In the age of social media, the pervasive behavior of taking and sharing selfies has garnered significant attention, prompting a deeper examination of the motivations and consequences associated with this practice. This review paper examines the current state of knowledge in understanding the psychological and social factors driving selfie behavior. Key themes emerging from the literature include self-presentation, attention-seeking, communication, and archiving, each shedding light on why individuals, especially adolescents, are drawn to capturing and sharing their self-portraits. Despite the substantial body of work, there remains a lack of research on the anxiety-inducing effects of selfie behavior, particularly in relation to social comparison and selfie editing practices. One limitation of the current research is the absence of longitudinal studies that track the long-term psychological impacts of selfie culture. These findings have important implications for developing interventions to mitigate negative psychological effects and inform future research and practice in digital media and mental health.
... Cognitive flexibility performs a very important role between celebrity worship and body image concerns. Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adjust and adapt to the situation and when the celebrity influence on person cognitive flexibility moulds the thinking of the individuals and creates concerns related to his/her image (Shabahang et al., 2020;Brown & Tiggemann, 2016). The significant level is at the reach of p < .001; the direct effect of celebrity worship upon body image concern worry was favorably substantial. ...
... Un estudio realizado por Brown & Tiggemann (2016) subrayó cómo la visualización constante de imágenes idealizadas en redes sociales puede desencadenar comparaciones sociales que resultan en un aumento del estado de ánimo negativo y la insatisfacción corporal. Además, la investigación de Fardouly et al. (2015) reveló que las mujeres jóvenes que participan activamente en actividades fotográficas en Facebook tienden a internalizar el Base de datos consultados: ...
Article
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El aumento en el uso de internet y redes sociales es significativo, particularmente entre los jóvenes. Este incremento presenta diversas interrogantes sobre los posibles efectos en la salud mental de esta población. En particular las mujeres jóvenes son más susceptibles a estos efectos debido a una mayor exposición a estas plataformas. El objetivo de este artículo es hacer una revisión de la literatura sobre cómo las redes sociales impactan en la percepción de la imagen corporal en mujeres jóvenes. Mediante el análisis de estudios publicados entre 2014 y 2024, se lograron identificar efectos negativos y positivos del uso de estas plataformas. Las conclusiones señalan que la exposición a imágenes idealizadas y las comparaciones sociales frecuentes pueden aumentar la insatisfacción corporal y contribuir al desarrollo de trastornos mentales. No obstante, las redes sociales también pueden ser utilizadas para fomentar la positividad corporal y proveer apoyo emocional.
... Brown and Tiggemann [15] noticed that increased social media use has been related to more body image concerns and eating disorders, while Brown and Tiggemann [16] found that viewing pictures of attractive celebrities and peers on Instagram has a negative effect on women's mood and body image. The Royal Society for Public Health [17] reported that Instagram is one of the most detrimental social media platforms for young people's mental health and well-being. ...
Article
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Introduction: The popularity of cosmetic surgery has been increasing in recent years, and social media is playing a role in this trend. This study investigated the influence of following social media influencers on the decision to undergo cosmetic procedures in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Males and females over 18 years old in Al Ahsa were included, while people under 18 years old who did not complete the questionnaire and did not live in Al Ahsa were excluded. Result: The study found that social media influencers may be influencing the decision of some people to undergo cosmetic procedures. 90.4% of participants agreed that undergoing cosmetic procedures is a popular procedure among influencers on social media. 37.9% of participants said that pictures of cosmetic procedures before and after affect their desire to undergo a cosmetic procedure. There were significant differences in the views of male and female participants. Conclusion: This study found that social media influencers may influence the decision to undergo plastic surgery, especially among young women. Participants who followed influencers were more likely to believe that influencers had undergone plastic surgery and were more likely to be influenced by the changes shown in before-and-after pictures. These findings suggest that social media may be playing a role in increasing the demand for plastic surgery, especially among young people.
... In a sample of college females, Al Saud et al. found that 50% of participants reported addiction to social media, and nearly 75% reported negative body image [14]. Another study found that social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow users to follow celebrities, intensify exposure to these influencers' messages and images, and result in negative mood and body dissatisfaction [15]. This research aimed to explore the impact of social media on diet behavior and perception of body image of college students. ...
Article
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Background: The use of social media platforms for health and nutrition information has become popular among college students. Although social media made information readily accessible in different formats, nutritional mis-information promoted by influencers and non-experts caused negative impact on diet behavior and perception of body image. Previous research indicated that extensive use of social media was positively linked to disordered eating behaviors. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram that allow users to follow celebrities intensified exposure to influencers' messages and images and resulted in negative moods and body dissatisfaction. Objective: This paper aims to explore the impact of social media on college students' dietary behaviors and body image. Participants: 18 undergraduate students from a public university in the Southern United States were recruited through a mass email. Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study of three focus groups was conducted. The focus groups were based on guiding open-ended questions. Atlas.ti was used to code and analyze the data using inductive and deductive codes. Results: Three main themes were identified. The conditions theme included elements that explain why and how social media influences the participants' actions. The actions theme included eating behavior, physical activity , and dietary supplement intake. The consequences theme describes anticipated or actual outcomes of actions such as body image and ideal weight. Conclusions: Social media has had a negative influence on diet behaviors and a positive influence on physical activity. Evidence-based nutrition and weight management information is needed to thwart potential misinformation.
... This may be due to the reason that in Pakistan some celebrities' faces have been distorted after cosmetic procedures. Brown and Tiggemann (2016) also showed that seeing images of glamorous celebrities and friends on Instagram has a negative impact on women's mood and body appearance. ...
Article
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Non-surgical facial Cosmetic procedures (CP) are becoming very common and the way it is promoted on social media is effecting Pakistani women who are frequently exposed to advertising of dermatologists, beauty practitioners and aestheticians. The present study examines the role of social media associated with the likelihood of having CP among women of Lahore. A quantitative methodology using convenient sampling and a questionnaire having 31 items (6 subscales) was developed i.e. women's Interest in CP, Influence of SM, Celebrity endorsements, Practitioners trust, Attractive offers and Adoption of CP. An online survey was conducted among females (n=340). Results showed that there is a positive relationship b/w watching posts on SM for cosmetic treatments and adoption of the treatment i.e. practitioners trust, Attractive offers and influence of SM are the significant Predictors while celebrity endorsement was negatively predicting their decision. Implications for the awareness of mothers and practitioners have been discussed.
... According to the sociocultural model [1], celebrities can contribute to the depiction of unrealistic beauty standards through SNSs, and their followers could drive to achieve the body they are exposed to online. Research found that being exposed to attractive celebrity pictures harms mood and women's body image [12]; specifically, women reported higher body dissatisfaction, lower body appreciation [13], and lower weight satisfaction [14]. Moreover, exposure to both thinspiration (i.e., ideal images representing thin bodies) and fitspiration (i.e., images of thin and toned bodies, posing in fitness clothing or engaging) content on Instagram is also particularly harmful to women's body image [5]. ...
Article
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According to the Tripartite Influence Model, social media is one of the primary sources influencing women’s body dissatisfaction. However, the role of social media influencers as a potential driver for impacting users’ body image evaluation when disseminating content on social networks has been little investigated. The present research aims to explore the relationship between following three Instagram influencers (i.e., nutrition, fitness, and entertainment) and eating disorder (ED) symptoms and body dissatisfaction among a group of female users. A sample of 5060 women (mean age = 35.33 ± 9.33) were recruited with the collaboration of three Italian influencers, and self-reported questionnaires were administered. Women who followed the nutritional influencer account reported significantly higher scores on ED symptoms and body dissatisfaction than women who followed the fitness and entertainment influencer accounts (η² = 0.05 and η² = 0.02, respectively). Overall, following nutrition and fitness accounts (compared to entertainment accounts) and spending more time daily on social networks positively predicts ED symptoms (β = 0.28, p < 0.001, β = 0.10, p < 0.001, β = 0.11, p < 0.001, respectively) and body dissatisfaction (β = 0.07, p < 0.001, β = 0.04, p < 0.001, β = 0.07, p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, following nutritional influencers compared to fitness influencers positively predicts ED symptoms (β = 0.17, p < 0.001) but not body dissatisfaction. The current results suggest that being exposed to dieting and weight loss topics on social media might be particularly harmful for individuals with specific vulnerabilities. Practical implications will be discussed.
... Because physical attractiveness likely promotes more media interactions such as likes, comments, and reposts (84,85), users might put a heavier focus on their appearance to compete for attention in social media. Furthermore, norms established by influencers promoting unrealistic beauty standards on social media also contribute to the association between social attention and one's attractive appearance (27,86). In the attempts to gain more attention on social media, users try to improve self-marketing related to their physical appearance, which exacerbates the impacts of self-objectification. ...
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Introduction Social media usage carries risks of negative impacts on one’s perception of physical attractiveness, especially among adolescents who are developing their self-image. These findings suggest that targeted interventions focusing on attention-seeking behaviors may be effective in addressing appearance-related anxieties among adolescents. Methods We employed Bayesian analysis with Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithms on survey data from 11,926 middle school students in China. Findings Our findings indicate that while the amount of daily social media usage does not significantly correlate with appearance concerns, the desire for social media attention through interactions such as liking, commenting, and sharing shows a clear positive association. Female adolescents exhibit a higher degree of concern about their physical appearance compared to males. Additionally, behaviors aimed at improving perceived physical attractiveness, such as exercising and using skin-whitening products, are positively associated with increased appearance concerns. Discussion These findings suggest that targeted interventions focusing on attention-seeking behaviors may be effective in addressing appearance-related anxieties among adolescents.
... Fenomena ini merujuk kepada para pengguna aplikasi Instagram yang mengalami ketidakpuasan terhadap tubuh (body dissatisfaction), kecemasan terkait berat badan, dan gangguan makan (Morry & Statska, 2001;Aristantya & Helmi, 2019). Selain itu, paparan gambar selebriti dengan tubuh ideal yang menarik melalui media sosial dapat merusak citra tubuh, meningkatkan suasana hati (mood) negatif, dan menurunkan harga diri (self-esteem) seorang individu (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016). ...
Conference Paper
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This research aims to determine the relationship between self-compassion and body image in generation Z. The hypothesis in this research is that there is a positive relationship between self- compassion and body image in generation Z. This research is quantitative research with a correlational research design. The participants in this study were 254 subjects belonging to generation Z, aged 11 to 26 years, born from 1995 to 2010, male and female, and residing in all regions in Indonesia. Body image variables were measured using The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scales (MBSRQ-AS) which refers to the theory explained by Cash. Meanwhile, the measurement of the self-compassion variable uses The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) which refers to the theory explained by Neff. The data analysis method used in this research is the Product Moment correlation test technique from Pearson with the help of SPSS 26.0 for Windows. The research results show that there is a positive and significant relationship between self-compassion and body image in generation Z with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.289 and a significance value (p) of 0.000 (p < 0.05), which means the research hypothesis is accepted. Self-compassion makes an effective contribution of 8.3% to body image in generation Z. Keywords: body image, generation Z, self-compassion
... Because only adults in the Z generation were included (older than 18), perhaps the effect of peer pressure in teenage years was diluted (Chua & Chang, 2016;Kenny, Sullivan, Callaghan, Molcho, & Kelly, 2018;Rodgers & Rousseau, 2022;de Vries, Peter, de Graaf, & Nikken, 2016). Regardless, the finding that media but not peers influence body image is important as it might indicate that media (both traditional and social) exerts influence on younger generations through social comparison with non-peers, such as celebrities (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Ho, Lee, & Liao, 2016;Pedalino, F. & Camerini, A.L., 2022). ...
Article
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One of the consequences of the pandemic is that throughout 2020 virtual interactions largely replaced face-to-face interactions. Though there are few studies on how social media impacts body image perception across genders, research suggests that socializing through a virtual self-body image might have distinct implications for men and women. We examined whether type of social pressure and body-ideal (by administering the SATAQ-4R questionnaire) exert distinct pressures on members of the X, Y, and Z generations. Media pressure affected body image satisfaction significantly more than other kinds of social pressure across genders and generations, with young males reporting a higher impact compared to older males. Males experienced more pressure to be muscular and women to have a generally attractive body, especially for the younger generation. Future research should focus on social media as a potential intervention tool for the detection and prevention of body image disorders in both young female and male adults.
... In order to empirically examine the impact of pertinent visuals on female body image, two groups of 138 female undergraduate college students were selected at random. Photos of famous people were shown to one group, and pictures of unknown friends with similar degrees of attractiveness were shown to the other [14]. All photographs used in the experiment were sourced from the social media platform Instagram. ...
Article
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With the widespread use of social media platforms, the singular aesthetic orientation of society has had varying degrees of impact on women at both the physical and psychological levels. An increasing number of women are exposed to over-idealized images thus triggering a series of problems. The purpose of this study is to investigate how social media affects womens mental health and, in turn, how it affects their eating behaviors. By compiling previous research studies and evaluating information gathered from surveys and interviews with women in various age groups, this study carried out a thorough evaluation of the literature. The results of the study show that a relatively homogenous aesthetic orientation has led a growing number of women to develop negative experiences of their own bodies, which leads to varying degrees of anxiety, and dissatisfaction with their appearance. The proliferation of media big data has resulted in women being exposed to a high frequency of information that generates messages inducing anxiety and gradually internalizing the notion of an ideal figure, thereby promoting abnormal weight reduction practices. The research concludes with suggestions for the female group that self-awareness awakening and conscious resistance to narrow aesthetic standards in society are effective ways to solve their psychological problems.
... National appearance comparisons mediated this relationship. Higher levels of celebrity worship were associated with increased body dissatisfaction when exposed to images of celebrities, highlighting the negative impact of exposure to attractive images on social media [25]. ...
Article
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This review paper delves into the intricate nexus between social media, celebrity culture, and the growing instances of appearance anxiety among adolescents. The rapid proliferation of social media platforms and the consequent rise in celebrity idolization has reshaped the way adolescents perceive beauty standards and their own self-worth. This dissertation seeks to synthesize extant literature on the subject, investigating how exposure to celebrity-driven content on social media platforms contributes to or exacerbates appearance anxiety among this vulnerable demographic. Results indicate a strong correlation between frequent interaction with celebrity content and heightened levels of self-consciousness and appearance anxiety among adolescents. This is particularly prevalent in scenarios where idealized and often unattainable beauty standards are perpetuated. This research has many implications: it highlights the need for interventions in digital media consumption, helps parents and educators understand the challenges of the digital age, and advocates for social media companies to take accountability and take action to lessen the harmful effects of celebrity culture. By highlighting these concerns, the study emphasizes the imperative to foster a healthier digital environment for the well-being of adolescents.
... Further, Sheldon and Bryant (2016) argue that Instagram users prefer selfpromotion features rather than communicating with others. Studies identified increased levels of body image dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem among women who viewed Instagram (or other social media) profiles of attractive peers, often culminating in self-objectification (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016;Cohen et al., 2018;Jones, 2001;Kleemans et al., 2016). Further, Baminiwatta et al. (2021) noted that selfie-taking along with photo editing among adolescents was highly related to their perceived body image dissatisfaction (BID). ...
Chapter
This qualitative study explores the effects of social media, particularly Instagram, on body image and eating disorders among female adolescents. With the growing influence of social media platforms, Instagram has emerged as a significant factor in shaping body perceptions and behaviours among youth. The study aims to understand the experiences and perceptions of adolescents in West Bengal on the impact of Instagram usage on body image and eating disorders through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. The sample comprises 15 female adolescents from Kolkata, aged 15–18, who actively use Instagram. Participants were selected through snowball sampling depending on their Instagram usage, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with them. Thematic analysis of the responses reveals that Instagram plays a central role in influencing eating disorders, self-perceived ideal body image, and internalization of unrealistic beauty standards among adolescents. This chapter identifies the severe effects of social media influencers’ body image and beauty standards on the participants’ mental health and eating disorders to conform to societal expectations.
... It can be assumed that posts by people who are not experts in the field of weight loss cause a negative perception in the followers and negatively affect healthy eating attitudes. In addition, exposure to photos of celebrities or peers on social media might be harmful to women's body image, and affect the physical and mental health of individuals by causing a negative body image and psychological problems (26,(30)(31)(32). In contrast, in this study, we observed that students who followed dietitians' and doctors' posts about healthy eating on social media were more likely to have ideal healthy eating attitudes. ...
... It has been reported that body image dissatisfaction caused by excess weight is frequently (from 59% to 82%) observed among women [11,[14][15][16]. Previous studies have suggested that the pattern of female beauty frequently observed in Western cultures [33,34] is characterized by the search for thinness [14,34] which, at least in part, can explain this finding. Conversely, body dissatisfaction for men may be more diverse than for women: it included a concern with musculature and body shape [35]. ...
Article
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Introduction Body image distortion and/or dissatisfaction may occur primarily due to body fat accumulation and/or distribution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of body image perception and (dis)satisfaction categories in adult men and women according to the adiposity classification. Methods This is a cross-sectional study (n = 514; 33–79 years; 265 women) that is part of a prospective cohort (Pró-Saúde study). Adiposity measurements were determined by two methods: anthropometry, used to calculate the body mass index (BMI) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), to estimate body fat percentage. Participants were grouped as “no excess adiposity” and “excess adiposity”, considering BMI and body fat percentage (>30% for men, >40% for women). Perception and (dis)satisfaction with body image were evaluated using the Kakeshita scale, composed by 15 silhouettes, developed for the Brazilian population. Degree of distortion (perceived BMI ‐ real BMI) and dissatisfaction (perceived BMI ‐ desired BMI) were calculated. Results A high proportion of men (58.6%; 74.3%), and especially of women (82.6%; 86.8%), presented body size overestimation and dissatisfaction due to excess weight, respectively. A relevant fraction of the women (32.6%) and men (30.8%) who were dissatisfied due to excess weight did not present excess adiposity, especially if classified by DXA. Variability in degree of distortion was hardly explained by anthropometric and DXA variables in women (<5%) and men (∼22%). Both anthropometric and DXA measurements accounted for ∼30% and ∼50% of the variability in degree of dissatisfaction among women and men, respectively. Conclusion Our results suggest a high frequency of body image distortion in Brazilian adult individuals, as well as dissatisfaction with excess weight, especially among women with excess adiposity. The findings indicate that anthropometric measurements explain much of the variability in degree of body image dissatisfaction in men, with no apparent advantage of the use of more refined DXA measurements.
... The method to evaluate qualities of inspiration boards resulting from our application of image GenAI is now described. The method follows visual content analysis approaches used by Brown and Tiggemann (2016) and applied in the context of design visualisation by Kuys et al. (2023). The objective of visual content analysis is to identify and code manifest qualities of the boards such as diversity of content and quantity of images alongside qualities of fidelity and ambiguity that literature shows can influence the creative and inspirational potential of the boards. ...
Article
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This study explores the application of image generative AI to support design process by creating inspiration boards. Through an evaluative study, we compare the diversity, quantity, fidelity, and ambiguity of boards generated by image generative AI and traditional methods. The results highlight how generative AI produces a quantity of images, it exhibits limited diversity compared to traditional methods. This suggests a tendency for supporting interpolation rather than extrapolation of ideas, in turn providing insights on best practice and into the optimal stage for its application.
... Among young females, comparison to celebrity images resulted in negative moods and body dissatisfaction (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016). Adverse eating behaviors have been found to arise not only from users' body dissatisfaction from maladaptive Facebook use (Smith et al., 2013) but also from viewing strangers' public Instagram content (Stein et al., 2021). ...
Article
Background Social media use has grown in importance and prevalence, with its estimated number of users at 4.9 billion worldwide. Social media use research has revealed positive and negative impacts on users' mental health and well‐being. However, such impacts among adults have not been examined in any reviews. Methods A scoping review was conducted based on the framework by Arksey and O'Malley and reported based on the PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Eight databases were searched from 2005 to December 2021. Articles were included after being reviewed by three independent teams, with discrepancies resolved through consensus with the senior author. Publication‐related information (i.e., authors, year of publication, aims, study population, methodology, interventions, comparisons, outcome measures and key findings) were extracted from each study. Thematic analysis was conducted to answer the research questions. Results Among the 114 eligible articles, young adults (69.6%) represented the main age group. Most studies (78.6%) focused on the negative impacts of social media use on mental health and well‐being, with nearly a third (32.1%) assessing such impacts on depression. Notably, this scoping review found that more than three‐quarters (78.6%) of the included studies revealed that excessive and passive social media use would increases depression, anxiety, mood and loneliness. Nevertheless, a third (33.0%) also reported positive impacts, where positive and purposeful use of social media contributes to improvements in mental health and well‐being, such as increased perceived social support and enjoyment. Linking Evidence to Action This review has provided an overview of the existing knowledge on how social media use affects adults and identified areas of research that merit investigation in future studies. More attention should be given to maximizing the positive impacts of social media use on mental health and well‐being among adults.
... USC is comparing oneself to others who are perceived to be superior in some way, such as in ability, achievement, physical appearance, intelligence, or social status (Gerber et al., 2018). However, such comparisons can yield adverse consequences, including compromised mental well-being (Jang et al., 2016), detrimental impacts on academic self-concept (Dijkstra et al., 2008), body dissatisfaction (Brown & Tiggemann, 2016), and envy (Tandoc et al., 2015). Earlier research demonstrated a positive correlation between USC and SNS (Social Networking Services) use (Lee, 2014;Vogel et al., 2015). ...
Article
Loneliness is an important risk factor for problematic smartphone use (PSU) among adolescents and the mechanisms underlying this correlation remain unclear. In this study, a moderated serial mediation model was tested by administering the Problematic Smartphone Use Scale for Chinese Adolescents, the Loneliness Scale (LS), the Upward Social Comparison Scale, the Fear of Missing Out Scale, and the Self‐Identity Scale to 466 Chinese adolescents. The results showed that: (1) loneliness was positively correlated with PSU, (2) upward social comparison (USC) and fear of missing out served as sequential mediating factors in the correlation between loneliness and PSU, and (3) self‐identity played a moderating role between USC and fear of missing out. These findings shed new light on developing strategies to prevent and intervene in adolescents' PSU by revealing the underlying mechanisms between loneliness and PSU.
Conference Paper
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Bu araştırmanın amacı, genç yetişkinlerin beden memnuniyeti düzeylerinin bazı bireysel özelliklere göre anlamlı farklılık gösterip göstermediğini incelemektir. Cinsiyet, duygu durumu, boş zaman etkinliklerinin yeterliliği, sosyal ilişki memnuniyeti, dini inanç düzeyi, uyku süresi, kronik hastalık durumu ve kilo gibi değişkenler beden memnuniyetini etkileyen faktörler olarak ele alınmıştır. Mevcut çalışma, nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden nedensel karşılaştırma modeline göre yürütülmüştür. Araştırma grubunu, bir devlet üniversitesinin sağlık bilimleri fakültesine devam eden 535 genç yetişkin birey (440 kadın, 95 erkek) oluşturmaktadır. Veriler, Beden Memnuniyeti Ölçeği ve Kişisel Bilgi Formu aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Veriler bağımsız örneklem t-testi, tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) ve Pearson korelasyon testi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma bulguları, beden memnuniyetinin cinsiyete göre anlamlı bir farklılık göstermediğini; ancak günlük duygu durumu, boş zaman etkinliklerinin yeterliliği, sosyal ilişki memnuniyeti ve dini inanç düzeyine göre anlamlı farklılıklar bulunduğunu göstermektedir. Ayrıca kilo ile beden memnuniyeti arasında negatif yönde anlamlı bir ilişki tespit edilmiştir (r = -.19, p < .01). Genç yetişkinlerin beden memnuniyeti düzeyleri, bireysel özelliklerine bağlı olarak değişiklik göstermektedir. Özellikle sosyal ilişkiler ve boş zaman etkinlikleri gibi faktörler beden memnuniyeti üzerinde önemli bir etkiye sahiptir. Bu bulgular, beden memnuniyetini artırmaya yönelik müdahaleler için rehberlik edebilir.
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This chapter examines the making of a new putative eating disorder (ED) characterized by an extreme focus on healthy eating—orthorexia nervosa (ON)—in the light of the social and medical ambiguities and disagreements around “right” food consumption and definitions of health. Beginning with the origins and recognition of ON, the chapter examines the uncertain clinical parameters and overlaps with other EDs and mental disorders. Also discussed are philosophical and sociological explanations for society’s seeming obsession with food provenance, including radical changes to food ecologies and institutional structures, neoliberal capitalism’s emphasis on self-cultivation, and the promotion of healthism as a means of diverting attention from social and economic ills. A secondary analysis of several distinct perspectives on health-conscious eating is then described and discussed featuring the following: individuals self-identifying as deeply engrossed in healthy eating practices; body-builders; professionals specializing in eating disorders; fitness instructors; and posts on eating disorder forums. By juxtaposing the narratives of those adopting varying stances regarding the intersection of health and dietary habits, insights can be gained into the sociopolitical and psychological tensions surrounding the medical labeling of health-conscious persons as troubled and misguided. Deeply rooted in sociocultural factors, ON, arguably more than any other form of “disordered eating,” reflects broader societal, political, and economic shifts and struggles.
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Cette recherche est l’une des premières à étudier le colorisme en Belgique et examine l’impact du colorisme et de l’attractivité physique, et l’interaction entre ces deux variables, sur la rétention de la candidature à un poste d’infirmière. Le colorisme est un biais en faveur de la couleur de peau la plus claire sur le plan intra- et/ou interethnique (Sealy-Harrington et Watson Hamilton, 2018). Le colorisme lié aux personnes noires est une discrimination très peu étudiée en Belgique comme en France. Les stéréotypes attribués aux femmes noires sont négatifs en général ; celles-ci occupent des postes subalternes dans nombre de métiers, dont les métiers de soins (Gatugu, 2017). Plus leur couleur de peau est foncée, plus elles sont discriminées et jugées moins attirantes (Hall, 2017). Dans le design expérimental utilisé, chaque répondant (n = 66) évalue six candidatures fictives d’infirmières (CV et photo) selon quatre dimensions : compétence, chaleur humaine, effort et rétention de la candidature. Le plan d’expérience incluait deux variables intra-sujets concernant les candidates à évaluer : l’apparence physique (attirante ou non) et la couleur de peau (blanche, noire métisse et noire). Les analyses de la variance à mesures répétées mettent en évidence un effet d’interaction entre le colorisme et l’attractivité physique par rapport à l’évaluation de l’effort, de la compétence et de la rétention de la candidature. Les candidates physiquement attrayantes à la peau noire ont un résultat d’effort plus élevé que les candidates à la peau blanche et noire métisse. Les candidates physiquement attrayantes à la peau blanche sont mieux évaluées sur le plan de la compétence que celles physiquement attrayantes à la peau noire métisse ou noire. Par contre, il n’y a aucun effet du colorisme qui ne soit considéré isolement. Les résultats montrent un effet d’interaction entre l’attractivité physique et le colorisme. Il faut souligner que les femmes noires métisses sont moins bien évaluées. D’autres études devraient être réalisées pour comprendre les mécanismes des discriminations spécifiques touchant les personnes noires.
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Body positivity refers to a movement, popularized on social media, that encourages the normalization and acceptance of bodies diverging from sociocultural ideals, specifically within marginalized communities. Previous studies suggest that briefly viewing body positive social media content may lead to increased body satisfaction and positive affect in young women relative to thin-ideal and appearance-neutral content. Diminished body functionality and appearance change due to chronic illness poses a unique challenge to positive body image in young adults living with chronic illness. Typical body positive social media content may not be useful for this community since chronic illnesses are often not outwardly depicted, so the current study aimed to examine the state effects before and after viewing body positive social media content in a sample of young women (N=201) with at least one self-reported chronic illness. Participants (Mage = 29.4, SD = 6.74; 79.2 % white) were randomly assigned to view one of two sets of 10 images: chronic illness body positive and typical body positive. Participants completed a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pre- and post-stimuli exposure. Findings from repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant interaction between time and group for negative affect (F(1198) = 4.402, p =.037) and broad conceptualization of beauty (F(1199) = 4.288, p =.040), such that those exposed to the chronic illness stimuli reported a larger reduction in negative affect and an increase in conceptualization of beauty beyond the non-chronically ill ideal post-exposure. Thus, exposure to body positive social media content inclusive of chronic illness may be more useful in stabilizing affect and promoting greater positive body image within the community. These findings highlight the importance of inclusive body positive portrayals in terms of dimensions beyond weight and shape to account for the effects of diminished body functionality.
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Objective Although social media use, such as Instagram, has been associated with ED pathology, mechanisms connecting social media use to disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) remain largely unevaluated. Based on Dual Process, Tripartite, and Affect Regulation models of ED pathology, we proposed a moderated mediation model evaluating impacts of exposure to fitspiration/thinspiration on Instagram. Method We evaluated a hypothesized pathway from exposure to fitspiration/thinspiration (i.e., ED‐salient content) on Instagram to disordered eating mediated by negative affect and tested individual differences in weight bias internalization, trait self‐esteem, and trait self‐comparison as moderators. We recruited 173 undergraduate women who reported engaging in DEBs on average at least once per week over the past 3 months. Participants completed a seven‐day ecological momentary assessment protocol, during which they reported their ED‐salient content exposure on Instagram, affect, and engagement in DEBs. Results Multilevel modeling was used to assess moderated mediation. Negative affect partially mediated associations between viewing ED‐salient content and subsequent engagement in objective binge eating and restricting but did not mediate the pathway to purging or excessive exercise. Higher weight bias internalization intensified the association between viewing ED‐salient content and negative affect. Discussion The association between viewing ED‐salient content and engaging in objective binge eating and restricting may be a partial consequence of elevated negative affect; however, effects were small. Individuals with higher weight bias internalization may be more vulnerable to negative consequences from viewing ED‐salient content. Findings suggested that reducing negative affect responses (e.g., via emotion regulation) could reduce negative consequences of viewing ED‐salient content.
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The purpose of this article is to review the latest research on socio-cultural considerations regarding promoting body image trends in social media. Material and methods Using the assumptions of the socio-cultural and self-objectification theories, the article explains the main consequences of messages promoting specific body shapes, both in traditional and social media. Results Among the most serious of these are a tendency toward social comparisons, increased dissatisfaction with one’s own body, mood changes and a tendency toward behaviors characteristic of eating disorders. The findings revealed were presented in the context of specific body image trends present on social media - Fitspiration and Thinspiration. Conclusions A review of information regarding fitspiration and thinspiration has been made from the perspective of the consequences of exposure to content and the elements that characterize inspirational images.
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Há tempos a mídia contribui para que preocupações com a forma e peso sejam disseminadas entre mulheres. Mídias sociais reforçam um padrão de beleza irreal e incentivam a adoção de comportamentos alimentares inadequados. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o padrão de uso do Instagram, insatisfação corporal e risco de transtornos alimentares entre mulheres. Estudo transversal observacional com 271 mulheres com idade ≥ 18 anos. Coletou-se valores de peso atual (Kg) e altura (m), para cálculo do IMC, e aplicou-se os questionários do padrão de uso do Instagram, o Eating Attitudes Test 26 (EAT-26), para avaliação do padrão de uso do Instagram e a presença de comportamentos de risco para transtornos alimentares (TA), e o Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), para avaliação de insatisfação com a imagem corporal, respectivamente. Variáveis contínuas foram apresentadas como médias ± DP e as categorizadas como frequência relativa (%). Utilizou-se o software SPSS versão 21.0. A média de IMC observada foi condizente com sobrepeso e a do somatório do EAT-26 condizente com ausência de comportamentos de risco para transtornos alimentares. Foi verificado que não houve diferenças significativas de peso atual, peso desejado, IMC e idade entre as mulheres EAT+ e EAT-. O padrão de uso do Instagram está associado à insatisfação corporal e comportamentos de risco para TA. Portanto, verificou-se que as participantes sofrem grande influência dessa mídia, no que diz respeito a hábitos alimentares e padrão corporal.
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The intersection of gender and consumer well-being has long been of interest to scholars. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of research at the intersection of gender and consumer well-being. Research overwhelmingly demonstrates that traditional gender role stereotypes are detrimental to consumer well-being, particularly for women. For example, idealized imagery (e.g., thin ideal) and sexually objectifying images in the media result in lowered self-perceptions among women and perpetuate attitudes of sexual harassment and sexual violence. However, research on the impact of traditional gender role stereotypes on consumer well-being for men is limited and deserves attention among scholars. Furthermore, gender research has primarily focused on gender as a binary and oftentimes conflates biological sex with gender, which can be harmful. Research shows that LGBTQ+ representation is lacking and that LGBTQ+ consumers are likely to experience social isolation and other mental health issues. The chapter concludes with directions for future research and policy recommendations.
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In the 21 st century, impact of social media, particularly Social Networking Sites (SNSs) has been linked to a wide range of human beliefs and expectations. Growing body of research has indicated that body image concerns along with exercise motivation and social comparison are on the rise among young adults. The present study aimed to examine the sex difference in body image, exercise motivation and social comparison among people who use Instagram in the age group 20-30. A total of 212 participants (men=106, women=106) aged 20-30 years, who are users of Instagram completed Body Self Image Questionnaire Short Form as a measure of Body image, Exercise Motivation Inventory – 2 as a measure of Exercise Motivation and Instagram as a Tool for Social Comparison as a measure of Social Comparison. Results showed that a significant difference in body image exist across gender with body image issues higher among females and significant difference in exercise motivation across gender with exercise motivation higher among males. No sex differences were seen in social comparison. It was concluded that body image concerns are higher among females and the drive for exercise is higher among males who used Instagram. It was found that body image concerns were higher among people who exercised regularly as well as among those who followed fitness related pages on Instagram as compared to those who did not. These results provide an insight into the sex differences between the variables and future directions can be aimed at conducting an in-depth analysis using body image, exercise motivation and social comparison.
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Studies have shown that excessive use of Instagram can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self- esteem as individuals compare themselves to the carefully curated and edited lives of others. Additionally, the constant exposure to unrealistic beauty standards and idealised lifestyles on Instagram can contribute to body dissatisfaction and distort one's perception of reality, creating unrealistic beauty standards, unattainable for most people. This can further fuel feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, impacting mental health and overall well-being. Negative ideas and perceptions of our physical bodies, as well as issues with body image, can cause significant distress and have serious psychological and medical effects. Body dysmorphia and eating disorders were linked to a high level of social media addiction. Educating users about the importance of setting boundaries and practicing self-care while using Instagram can help mitigate its negative effects on mental well-being.
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Declaration I hereby declare that this dissertation is submitted in completion of the degree Magister of Social Science in Sociology (The Narratives Study of Lives) at the University of the Free State is my own work and throughout the dissertation I referenced other people's ideas properly, and I have never submitted this dissertation before for any degree at any other University.
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A randomized controlled trial of three school-based programs and a no-intervention control group was conducted to evaluate their efficacy in reducing eating disorder and obesity risk factors. A total of 1316 grade 7 and 8 girls and boys (mean age = 13.21 years) across three Australian states were randomly allocated to: Media Smart; Life Smart; the Helping, Encouraging, Listening and Protecting Peers (HELPP) initiative; or control (usual school class). Risk factors were measured at baseline, post-program (5 weeks later), and at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Media Smart girls had half the rate of onset of clinically significant concerns about shape and weight than control girls at the 12-month follow-up. Media Smart and HELPP girls reported significantly lower weight and shape concern than Life Smart girls at the 12-month follow-up. Media Smart and control girls scored significantly lower than HELPP girls on eating concerns and perceived pressure at the 6-month follow-up. Media Smart and HELPP boys experienced significant benefit on media internalization compared with control boys and these were sustained at the 12-month follow-up in Media Smart boys. A group × time effect found that Media Smart participants reported more physical activity than control and HELPP participants at the 6-month follow-up, while a main effect for group found Media Smart participants reported less screen time than controls. Media Smart was the only program to show benefit on both disordered eating and obesity risk factors. Whilst further investigations are indicated, this study suggests that this program is a promising approach to reducing risk factors for both problems.
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This article reviews research pertaining to mass media as a causal risk factor for negative body image and disordered eating in females. The specific purpose is to clarify the impact of mass media by applying seven criteria that extend those of Kraemer et al. (1997) and Stice (2002). Although media effects clearly meet a majority of the criteria, this analysis indicates that, currently, engagement with mass media is probably best considered a variable risk factor that might well be later shown to be a causal risk factor. Recommendations are made for further research, with an emphasis on longitudinal investigations, studies of media literacy as a form of prevention, and clarification of psychosocial processes that moderate and mediate media effects.
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A study was conducted to examine the link between college women's interpersonal attraction to female media personalities of various body sizes, and several indices of disordered eating symptomatology. Interpersonal attraction to thin television characters and magazine models, operationalized as a combination of liking, feeling similar to, and wanting to be like these individuals, was expected to be positively related to disordered eating symptomatology. The theoretical proposition that attraction to social agents facilitates modeling of these agents’ behavior was proposed to account for the observed relationships. Attraction to thin media personalities predicted 6 of 7 eating disorder indices, even when exposure to thinness‐depicting and ‐promoting (TDP) media was controlled. The argument is advanced that interpersonal attraction thin media personalities is an important element in the relationship between consumption of TDP media and disordered eating, and exerts an influence on disordered eating beyond the influence of mere media exposure.
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This study investigated 3 broad classes of individual-differences variables (job-search motives, competencies, and constraints) as predictors of job-search intensity among 292 unemployed job seekers. Also assessed was the relationship between job-search intensity and reemployment success in a longitudinal context. Results show significant relationships between the predictors employment commitment, financial hardship, job-search self-efficacy, and motivation control and the outcome job-search intensity. Support was not found for a relationship between perceived job-search constraints and job-search intensity. Motivation control was highlighted as the only lagged predictor of job-search intensity over time for those who were continuously unemployed. Job-search intensity predicted Time 2 reemployment status for the sample as a whole, but not reemployment quality for those who found jobs over the study's duration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
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94 college students recorded details of their social comparisons over 2 wks using a new instrument, the Rochester Social Comparison Record. Major results were (1) comparison direction varied with relationship with the target; (2) precomparison negative mood led more often to upward comparison than to downward comparison, supporting a selective affect–cognition priming model in which dysphoria primes negative thoughts about the self (G. H. Bower, 1991; J. P. Forgas et al, 1990) rather than a motivational self-enhancement model (T. A. Wills, 1981, 1991); (3) upward comparison decreased subjective well-being, whereas downward comparison increased it; and (4) high self-esteem individuals engaged in more self-enhancing comparison. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
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The current study explored body image self-discrepancy as moderator and social comparison as mediator in the effects on women from thin-ideal images in the media. Female undergraduates (N= 112) with high and low body image self-discrepancy were exposed to advertisements either with thin women (thin ideal) or without thin women (neutral-advertisement control). Exposure to thin-ideal advertisements increased body dissatisfaction, negative mood, and levels of depression and lowered self-esteem. In addition, social comparison processes mediated the relationship between exposure to thin-ideal advertisements and negative self-directed effects. Notably, self-discrepancy moderated this mediation. Women with high levels of body image self-discrepancy were more likely to engage in social comparison from exposure to thin-ideal advertisements, as well as more likely to have those comparison processes induce self-directed negative consequences. This research provides support for an individual difference variable (body image self-discrepancy) that moderates the mediating effect of social comparison from exposure to thin-ideal media.
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Within the cultural context of MySpace, this study explores the ways emerging adults experience social networking. Through focus group methodology, the role of virtual peer interaction in the development of personal, social, and gender identities was investigated. Findings suggest that college students utilize MySpace for identity exploration, engaging in social comparison and expressing idealized aspects of the selves they wish to become. The public nature of self and relationship displays introduce feedback mechanisms by which emerging adults can legitimize images as associated with the self. Also, male–female differences in self-presentation parallel, and possibly intensify, gender norms offline. Our study suggests that social networking sites provide valuable opportunities for emerging adults to realize possible selves; however, increased pressure for female sexual objectification and intensified social comparison may also negatively impact identity development. A balanced view, presenting both opportunities and drawbacks, should be encouraged in policies regarding youth participation in social networking sites.
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Swami, V., Taylor, R. & Carvalho, C. (2011). Body dissatisfaction assessed by the Photographic Figure Rating Scale is associated with sociocultural, personality, and media influences. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 52, 57–53. This study sought to investigate the convergent validity of a new measure of body dissatisfaction, namely the Photographic Figure Rating Scale (PFRS), in relation to media influence, celebrity worship, the Big Five personality factors, and respondent weight status. A total of 401 female undergraduates completed a battery of scales consisting of the PFRS, the third revision of the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Scale (SATAQ-3), a measure of celebrity worship, a measure of the Big Five personality factors, and provided their demographic details. Results of a multiple regression showed that body dissatisfaction was most strongly predicted by two of the SATAQ-3 subscales and participant body mass index, although celebrity worship and Emotional Stability added incremental variance. Limitations of the current study are discussed in conclusion.
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The relationship between social comparison and body dissatisfaction was examined using meta-analysis. Several demographic and methodological variables were examined as potential moderators. Data from 156 studies (189 effect sizes) showed that social comparison was related to higher levels of body dissatisfaction. The effect for social comparison and body dissatisfaction was stronger for women than men and inversely related to age. This effect was stronger when social comparison was directly measured rather than inferred. No differences emerged for the presence of eating psychopathology, study design, or object of comparison. Results confirm theory and research suggesting that comparing oneself unfavorably to another on the basis of appearance may lead to dissatisfaction with one's own appearance. Moderator variables refine our understanding of the social comparison-body dissatisfaction relationship. These constructs and their relationship should be explored further in future studies.
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People acquire information about their abilities by comparison, and research suggests that people restrict such comparisons to those whom they consider sources of diagnostic information. We suggest that diagnosticity is often considered only after comparisons are made and that people do not fail to make nondiagnostic comparisons so much as they mentally undo them. In 2 studies, participants made nondiagnostic comparisons even when they knew they should not, and quickly unmade them when they were able. These results suggest that social comparisons may be relatively spontaneous, effortless, and unintentional reactions to the performances of others and that they may occur even when people consider such reactions logically inappropriate.
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The effect of experimental manipulations of the thin beauty ideal, as portrayed in the mass media, on female body image was evaluated using meta-analysis. Data from 25 studies (43 effect sizes) were used to examine the main effect of mass media images of the slender ideal, as well as the moderating effects of pre-existing body image problems, the age of the participants, the number of stimulus presentations, and the type of research design. Body image was significantly more negative after viewing thin media images than after viewing images of either average size models, plus size models, or inanimate objects. This effect was stronger for between-subjects designs, participants less than 19 years of age, and for participants who are vulnerable to activation of a thinness schema. Results support the sociocultural perspective that mass media promulgate a slender ideal that elicits body dissatisfaction. Implications for prevention and research on social comparison processes are considered.
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Celebrity worship has been conceptualized as having pathological and nonpathological forms. To avoid problems associated with item-level factor analysis, 'top-down purification' was used to test the validity of this conceptualization. The respondents (N = 249) completed items modelled after existing celebrity worship questionnaires. A subset of 17 unidimensional and Rasch scalable items was discovered (the local reliability ranged from.71 to.96), which showed no biases related to age and gender. This subset was dubbed the Celebrity Worship Scale (CWS). The items also showed no celebrity bias, indicating that CWS applies equally to acting, music, sports, and 'other' celebrities. The Rasch nature of the items defines celebrity worship as consisting of three qualitatively different stages. Low worship involves individualistic behaviours such as watching and reading about a celebrity. At slightly higher levels, celebrity worship takes on a social character. Lastly, the highest levels are characterized by a mixture of empathy with the celebrity's successes and failures, over-identification with the celebrity, compulsive behaviours, as well as obsession with details of the celebrity's life. Based on these findings, the authors propose a model of celebrity worship based on psychological absorption (leading to delusions of actual relationships with celebrities) and addiction (fostering the need for progressively stronger involvement to feel connected with the celebrity).
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The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between celebrity worship and body image within the theoretical perspective of intense para-social relationships with celebrities. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between celebrity worship and body image. Three samples, 229 (102 males and 127 females) adolescents, 183 (88 males and 95 females) full-time university undergraduate students, and 289 (126 males and 163 females) adults were administered an amended version of the Celebrity Attitude Scale, the Attention to Body Shape Scale, and the Body Shape Questionnaire-Revised. Significant relationships were found between attitudes toward celebrities and body image only among female adolescents. Multiple regression analyses suggested that Intense-personal celebrity worship accounted for unique variance in scores in body image. Findings suggest that in female adolescents, there is an interaction between Intense-personal celebrity worship and body image between the ages of 14 and 16 years, and some tentative evidence has been found to suggest that this relationship disappears at the onset of adulthood, 17 to 20 years. Results are consistent with those authors who stress the importance of the formation of para-social relationships with media figures, and suggest that para-social relationships with celebrities perceived as having a good body shape may lead to a poor body image in female adolescents.
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Theory and research suggests that cultural norms for appearance present unrealistic standards of beauty which may contribute to women's body dissatisfaction. In Study 1, women described their appearance more negatively than men and made more upward social comparisons about their bodies, but not about other domains. Women also compared more than men with unrealistic targets (e.g., models). In Study 2, we explored the role of cultural norms for appearance in social comparisons with relevant (peer) or irrelevant (model) superior targets. When cultural norms were not salient, participants judged a peer to be more relevant, compared more with the peer, and were more negatively affected by the peer. However, when cultural norms were salient, participants judged a professional model to be equally relevant, compared more with the model and felt worse after exposure to the model. We discuss the powerful role of cultural norms in determining social comparison processes and self-appraisals.
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Research suggests that exposure to mass media depicting the thin-ideal body may be linked to body image disturbance in women. This meta-analysis examined experimental and correlational studies testing the links between media exposure to women's body dissatisfaction, internalization of the thin ideal, and eating behaviors and beliefs with a sample of 77 studies that yielded 141 effect sizes. The mean effect sizes were small to moderate (ds = -.28, -.39, and -.30, respectively). Effects for some outcome variables were moderated by publication year and study design. The findings support the notion that exposure to media images depicting the thin-ideal body is related to body image concerns for women.
Article
Fitspiration is an online trend designed to inspire viewers towards a healthier lifestyle by promoting exercise and healthy food. The present study aimed to experimentally investigate the impact of fitspiration images on women's body image. Participants were 130 female undergraduate students who were randomly assigned to view either a set of Instagram fitspiration images or a control set of travel images presented on an iPad. Results showed that acute exposure to fitspiration images led to increased negative mood and body dissatisfaction and decreased state appearance self-esteem relative to travel images. Importantly, regression analyses showed that the effects of image type were mediated by state appearance comparison. Thus it was concluded that fitspiration can have negative unintended consequences for body image. The results offer support to general sociocultural models of media effects on body image, and extend these to "new" media. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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One hundred and thirty-nine women viewed television commercials that contained either Appearance-related commercials (demonstrating societally-endorsed images of thinness and attractiveness) or Non-Appearance-related advertisements. Pre-post measures of depression, anger, anxiety, and body dissatisfaction were examined. Participants were blocked by a median split on dispositional levels of body image disturbance and sociocultural attitudes regarding appearance. Individuals high on these measures became significantly more depressed following exposure to the Appearance videotape and significantly less depressed following a viewing of the Non-Appearance advertisements. In addition, individuals high on the level of sociocultural awareness/internalization became more angry and participants high on body image disturbance became more dissatisfied with their appearance following exposure to commercials illustrating thinness/attractiveness. Participants who scored below the median on dispositional levels of disturbance either improved or showed no change on dependent measures in both Appearance and Non-Appearance video conditions. The findings are discussed in light of factors that might moderate media-influenced perturbations in body image.
Article
The present study experimentally investigated the effect of Facebook usage on women's mood and body image, whether these effects differ from an online fashion magazine, and whether appearance comparison tendency moderates any of these effects. Female participants (N = 112) were randomly assigned to spend 10 min browsing their Facebook account, a magazine website, or an appearance-neutral control website before completing state measures of mood, body dissatisfaction, and appearance discrepancies (weight-related, and face, hair, and skin-related). Participants also completed a trait measure of appearance comparison tendency. Participants who spent time on Facebook reported being in a more negative mood than those who spent time on the control website. Furthermore, women high in appearance comparison tendency reported more facial, hair, and skin-related discrepancies after Facebook exposure than exposure to the control website. Given its popularity, more research is needed to better understand the impact that Facebook has on appearance concerns.
Article
Use of social media, such as Facebook, is pervasive among young women. Body dissatisfaction is also highly prevalent in this demographic. The present study examined the relationship between Facebook usage and body image concerns among female university students (N=227), and tested whether appearance comparisons on Facebook in general, or comparisons to specific female target groups (family members, close friends, distant peers [women one may know but do not regularly socialize with], celebrities) mediated this relationship. Results showed a positive relationship between Facebook usage and body image concerns, which was mediated by appearance comparisons in general, frequency of comparisons to close friends and distant peers, and by upward comparisons (judging one's own appearance to be worse) to distant peers and celebrities. Thus, young women who spend more time on Facebook may feel more concerned about their body because they compare their appearance to others (especially to peers) on Facebook. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Article
The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between media exposure and body image concerns in preteenage girls, with a particular focus on the Internet. A sample of 189 girls (aged 10-12 years) completed questionnaire measures of media consumption and body image concerns. Nearly all girls (97.5%) had access to the Internet in their home. Time spent on-line was significantly related to internalization of the thin ideal (as was time reading magazines and watching television), body surveillance, reduced body esteem, and increased dieting. In accord with the sociocultural model, internalization mediated the effect of the Internet on body image concerns. Further, 14% of the girls had a MySpace profile and 43% had a Facebook profile. Time spent on these social networking sites produced stronger correlations with body image concern than did overall Internet exposure. It was concluded that the Internet represents a potent sociocultural force among preteenage girls.
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Objective Social media sites, such as Facebook, merge two factors that influence risk for eating disorders: media and peers. Previous work has identified cross-sectional and temporal associations between Facebook use and disordered eating. This study sought to replicate and extend these findings using an experimental design. Method In Study 1, 960 women completed self-report surveys regarding Facebook use and disordered eating. In Study 2, 84 women were randomly assigned to use Facebook or to use an alternate internet site for 20 min. ResultsMore frequent Facebook use was associated with greater disordered eating in a cross-sectional survey. Facebook use was associated with the maintenance of weight/shape concerns and state anxiety compared to an alternate internet activity. DiscussionFacebook use may contribute to disordered eating by maintaining risk for eating pathology. As such, targeting Facebook use may be helpful in intervention and prevention programs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2014)
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Abstract The present study examined the relationship between body image and adolescent girls' activity on the social networking site (SNS) Facebook (FB). Research has shown that elevated Internet "appearance exposure" is positively correlated with increased body image disturbance among adolescent girls, and there is a particularly strong association with FB use. The present study sought to replicate and extend upon these findings by identifying the specific FB features that correlate with body image disturbance in adolescent girls. A total of 103 middle and high school females completed questionnaire measures of total FB use, specific FB feature use, weight dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, thin ideal internalization, appearance comparison, and self-objectification. An appearance exposure score was calculated based on subjects' use of FB photo applications relative to total FB use. Elevated appearance exposure, but not overall FB usage, was significantly correlated with weight dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, thin ideal internalization, and self-objectification. Implications for eating disorder prevention programs and best practices in researching SNSs are discussed.
Article
The impact of social comparisons of body weight on self-perceptions has been investigated in previous research; however, previous studies have focused on the effects of exposure to idealized media images. The current study tested the hypothesis that upon exposure to information about a peer's weight, restrained eaters (but not unrestrained eaters) use this information to determine their own relative standing. Seventy female undergraduates participated in this study under the impression that it was a study of person memory. Participants read about a female peer described as either average weight, overweight, or thin. Participants then rated their self-perceptions, after which their food intake was surreptitiously measured. Restrained eaters exposed to the description of the thin peer experienced more negative self-perceptions; there were no significant effects of exposure to the overweight peer. For unrestrained eaters, there was no effect of exposure to the thin peer but evidence of self enhancement following exposure to the overweight peer. Social comparisons to peers may contribute to the worsening of body satisfaction and self-esteem in restrained eaters.
Article
Thisstudy aimed to investigate the role of social comparison processes in women's responses to images of thin-idealize d female beauty. A sample of 126 women viewed magazine advertisements containing full-body, body part, or product im- ages. Instructional set was also manipulated with three levels: control, appearance focus, and social comparison. Mood and body dissatisfaction were measured im- mediately before and after advertisement viewing, while state weight anxiety and the amount of appearance comparison engaged in were measured only after the advertisements. It was found that exposure to either body part or full body images led to increased negative mood and body dissatisfaction, while the amount of com- parison processing was affected by both image type and instructional set. Impor- tantly, regression analyses showed that the effects of image type on mood and body dissatisfaction were mediated by the amount of social comparison reported. It was concluded that the processing in which women engage in response to media images is an important contributor to negative effects. Sociocultural theory provides the most strongly supported theoretical account of the high levels of body image disturbance, body dissatisfac- tion, and disordered eating experienced by many women in Western so- cieties (Thompson, Heinberg, Altabe, & Tantleff-Dunn, 1999). This model maintains that current societal standards for beauty inordinately emphasize the desirability of thinness, and thinness at a level impossible for many women to achieve by healthy means. In fact, the gap between the average woman's body size and the ideal is now larger than ever be-
Article
The present study aimed to investigate the role of processing in women's responses to thin idealized images of beauty. A sample of 144 women viewed magazine advertisements containing either thin ideal or product images. Instructional set was manipulated with three levels: control, social comparison, and fantasy instructions. It was found that exposure to thin ideal images led to increased negative mood and body dissatisfaction, while instructional set had its effect on positive mood and body dissatisfaction. For thin ideal images, social comparison instructions led to greater negative mood and body dissatisfaction, while fantasy instructions led to improved positive mood. Importantly, regression analyses indicated that both comparison processing (negatively) and fantasy processing (positively) were associated with women's response to thin ideal images. It was concluded that the nature of the processing women engage in is crucial to their response to thin ideal images.
Article
Objective: The primary aim of the study was to examine the relationship between Internet exposure and body image concern in adolescent girls, with a particular focus on the social networking site of Facebook. Method: A sample of 1,087 girls in the first two years (Years 8 and 9) of high school (aged 13-15 years) completed questionnaire measures of Internet consumption and body image concerns. Results: The overwhelming majority of girls (95.9%) had access to the Internet in their home. Time spent on the Internet was significantly related to internalization of the thin ideal, body surveillance, and drive for thinness. Further, 75% of the girls had a Facebook profile, and spent an average of 1.5 hours there daily. Facebook users scored significantly more highly on all body image concern measures than non-users. Discussion: It was concluded that the Internet represents a potent socio-cultural medium of relevance to the body image of adolescent girls.
Article
Body image issues are at the core of major eating disorders. They are also important phenomena in and of themselves. Kevin Thompson and his colleagues provide an overview of a wide variety of body image issues, ranging from reconstructive surgery to eating disorders. The book will be a valuable resource for even the most established researchers in the field, as it is filled with data, information about assessment tools, and a thorough treatment of virtually all major theoretical perspectives on the development of body image and their implications for treatment and prevention. At the same time, the authors' decision to include numerous experiential anecdotes makes the book easily accessible to those just entering the field who are trying to understand the nature of these phenomena. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Article
Asked 189 female and 108 male undergraduates to rate the importance of 6 groups (e.g., family, friends) as comparison targets for 7 attributes (e.g., figure/physique, intelligence). Factor analysis of the 42 ratings yielded 3 components, largely reflecting a particularistic-universalistic comparison target dimension rather than an attributional configurement. Factor analysis was also conducted on pooled target ratings for the 7 attributes. Gender by target effects emerged, indicating male–female differences in comparison tendencies. Strong gender differences emerged when factor scores were correlated with indices of body dissatisfaction and eating disturbance, reflecting significant relationships only for females. Findings indicate that the ascribed importance of a comparison group is a better predictor of body image disturbance than is the similarity between the S and the comparison target. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Article
The present study aimed to investigate the role of social comparison processing in women's responses to thin idealized images. In particular, it was predicted that comparison with the images on the basis of appearance would lead to more negative outcomes than comparison on the basis of intelligence. A sample of 114 women viewed fashion magazine advertisements featuring thin and attractive models under one of three instructional set conditions: control, appearance comparison, and intelligence comparison instructions. We found that both comparison instructional set conditions led to decreased mood relative to the control condition, but they had no effect on subsequent body dissatisfaction. However, regression analyses indicated that the form of processing in which individuals (irrespective of experimental condition) actually engaged was crucial. In particular, both appearance comparison processing (positively) and intelligence comparison processing (negatively) were associated with increased body dissatisfaction. In addition, poorer recall of both products and their brand names was associated with a greater impact of the media images on mood and body dissatisfaction. We concluded that the dimensions on which social comparison takes place are critical in women's response to media-portrayed thin ideal images, with comparisons on the basis of intelligence or education associated with more positive reactions. More generally, the results offer strong support to appearance social comparison as the mechanism by which idealized media images translate into body dissatisfaction for many women.
Article
Disordered eating is linked to body shapes and images presented in the mass media. Favored celebrities may represent a particularly strong source of influence. We examined cross-sectional relationships between women's disordered eating and their perceptions of body-shape differences with favored celebrities. Women between the ages of 18 and 27 rated personal body shapes alongside those of self-selected favored celebrities. Multivariate analyses showed self/celebrity body-shape discrepancies to be linked to EAT-26 diet, bulimia, and oral control scales independent of personal body-shape and self/ideal discrepancies. For bulimia subscale scores, this relationship was moderated by a more favorable perception of the celebrity relative to the self. Celebrities might be important in creating an unrealistic social comparison standard that contributes to disordered eating.
Article
The primary aim of the study was to examine the relationship between media exposure and body image in adolescent girls, with a particular focus on the ‘new’ and as yet unstudied medium of the Internet. A sample of 156 Australian female high school students (mean age = 14.9years) completed questionnaire measures of media consumption and body image. Internet appearance exposure and magazine reading, but not television exposure, were found to be correlated with greater internalization of thin ideals, appearance comparison, weight dissatisfaction, and drive for thinness. Regression analyses indicated that the effects of magazines and Internet exposure were mediated by internalization and appearance comparison. It was concluded that the Internet represents a powerful sociocultural influence on young women’s lives. KeywordsInternet exposure-Body image-Internalization of thin ideals-Tripartite influence model-Media exposure-Adolescents
Article
Research suggests that appearance focused social comparisons are associated with body image disturbances. This study utilized ecological momentary assessment to examine associations between appearance focused social comparisons to media images and peers and body image disturbance and affect. Appearance focused cognitive distortions were examined as a moderator. Ninety-three undergraduate women from a large public Midwestern university in the United States completed questionnaires assessing the nature, frequency, and consequences of appearance focused social comparisons. Compared to no comparison, media comparisons were associated with greater body checking, negative affect, and guilt; peer comparisons were associated with greater body checking and guilt. Cognitive distortions moderated the relationship between appearance focused social comparisons and body checking. Specifically, the relationship between peer comparisons and body checking was strengthened at higher levels of appearance focused cognitive distortions. When only upward comparisons were considered, the relationships between both media and peer comparisons and body checking were strengthened at higher levels of appearance focused cognitive distortions. These results have implications for the treatment of body dissatisfaction. KeywordsBody image–Social comparison–Sociocultural pressure
Article
Relations among body image satisfaction and social comparisons to either same-sex peers or media models were examined in 2 studies of adolescent boys and girls. In the first study, 9th and 10th graders described their conceptions of attractiveness for same- and opposite-sex adolescents. These attractiveness attributes were then used in Study 2 in which 7th- and 10th-grade boys and girls reported on social comparisons to models/celebrities and same-sex peers. Body dissatisfaction was also assessed. The results confirmed that both same-sex peers and models/celebrities were the targets of social comparisons for physical attributes, but comparisons on personal and social attributes were more likely directed toward same-sex peers. For boys and girls, weight comparisons to both peer and model targets were primary correlates of body dissatisfaction. In addition, shape comparisons reported by the girls and facial comparisons endorsed by the boys also related to body dissatisfaction. Gender differences in social comparison indicated that girls reported more social comparisons across targets and attributes. Results are discussed in terms of the role of social comparison and peer context for body image during adolescence.
Article
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Experimental exposure to idealized media portrayals of women is thought to induce social comparisons in female viewers and thereby to be generally detrimental to female viewers' satisfaction with their own appearance. Through meta-analysis, the present paper examines the impact of moderators of this effect, some identified and updated from a prior meta-analysis and some that have hitherto received little attention. Participants' pre-existing appearance concerns and the processing instructions participants were given when exposed to media portrayals were found to significantly moderate effect sizes. With regard to processing instructions, a novel and counter-intuitive pattern was revealed; effect sizes were smallest when participants were instructed to focus on the appearance of women in media portrayals, and largest when participants processed the portrayals on a distracting, non-appearance dimension. These results are interpreted through a framework that suggests that social comparisons are automatic processes, the effects of which can be modified through conscious processing.
Article
Hypotheses involving mediation are common in the behavioral sciences. Mediation exists when a predictor affects a dependent variable indirectly through at least one intervening variable, or mediator. Methods to assess mediation involving multiple simultaneous mediators have received little attention in the methodological literature despite a clear need. We provide an overview of simple and multiple mediation and explore three approaches that can be used to investigate indirect processes, as well as methods for contrasting two or more mediators within a single model. We present an illustrative example, assessing and contrasting potential mediators of the relationship between the helpfulness of socialization agents and job satisfaction. We also provide SAS and SPSS macros, as well as Mplus and LISREL syntax, to facilitate the use of these methods in applications.
Article
A weight-height index of adiposity should indicate the relative fatness of subjects of differing height unless obesity is itself correlated with height. The average body fat among adult women attending a hospital outpatient clinic for obesity was 40.5 percent of body weight. The height of an unselected series of 286 of these outpatients was found to be similar to that of the general population of women of similar age, which indicates that obesity in adult women is not significantly related to height. Body composition was measured by body density, body water and body potassium in a series of 104 female and 24 male subjects aged 14-60 years. In both sexes density, water and potassium gave progressively higher estimates of body fat (kg), and there was a significant difference between the values by different methods. The average of the estimates by these three methods was taken to be the 'true' value for each individual (F kg). Regression of F/H2 on W/H2 (Quetelet's index) gave a correlation coefficient of 0.955 for women and 0.943 for men. The deviation of the body fat estimated from Quetelet's formula from the 'true' value was not much greater than that when density, water or potassium were used as a basis for estimating body fat. It is concluded that Quetelet's formula is both a convenient and reliable indicator of obesity.
Article
Although social comparison with media-portrayed thin-ideal images has been found to increase body dissatisfaction and negative affect, research has not yet tested whether social comparison with attractive peers in the real world produces similar effects. We randomly assigned 119 young women to interact either with a confederate who conformed to the thin ideal or one who conformed to the average body dimensions of women, within the context of an ostensive dating study. Exposure to the thin-ideal confederate resulted in an increase in body dissatisfaction but not negative affect or heart rate. Initial thin-ideal internalization, perceived sociocultural pressure, self-esteem, and observer-rated attractiveness did not moderate these effects. Results suggest that social comparative pressure to be thin fosters body dissatisfaction but may not promote negative affect.
Article
Although exposure to thin-ideal females in the media has been shown to increase women's body dissatisfaction, only a few studies have examined the effects of comparisons with peers, and no prior work has studied the effects of peer comparisons in a naturalistic setting or on objective behavior. Female undergraduates (n = 45) in a campus gym who exercised on a target apparatus were assigned to have a fit-peer, unfit-peer, or no-peer (control) exercise within their view on a nearby apparatus. Objective time spent exercising and body satisfaction reports were collected. Exposure to a fit peer had undermining effects on women's body satisfaction and exercise duration, whereas an unfit peer produced no compensating greater body satisfaction but did elicit longer exercise duration relative to controls. Incidental comparisons with fit versus unfit peers can affect women's body satisfaction and fitness-related behavior in a naturalistic setting.