Benefit-Seeking or Risk-Taking? Examining the Portrayal of Cosmetic Surgery in Chinese News, 2000–2019

Abstract

Analyzing 311 news articles published in representative Chinese newspapers, this study investigated how cosmetic surgery (CS) was represented in Chinese media from 2000 to 2019. Employing a coding scheme based on prior literature and sampled data, the study analyzed both features of the articles and profiles of the patients in the media. Results showed significant differences in media reporting across issue categories, reporting frames (benefit-focused, risk-focused, neutral), sources of information, drivers for and impacts of having surgeries. Among all the reasons for obtaining CS, boosting career confidence was ranked at the top. Additionally, significant differences in reporting were observed across types of the newspapers, gender of the patients, and time periods of the coverage. Implications of the findings for health promotion and regulation were discussed in reference to the social, cultural, and media context in China.

The Relationship Between Perfectionism, Early Maladaptive Schemas, Attachment Styles, and Body Image Concern by the Mediating Role of Self-esteem in Cosmetic Surgery Applicants

“…Attractiveness and beauty are popular traits for all individuals in all societies (Lazuka et al 2020); thus, it is not surprising that thousands of individuals undergo cosmetic surgery annually to improve their body and appearance (David, 2006; quoted by Shirmohammadi, Hosseini & Amiri 2020). Cosmetic surgery is used to improve appearance (Sun et al 2020), a specialty that restores, maintains, or improves the physical appearance of an individual through surgical and medical techniques (Swami et al 2009). Therefore, with the intention of beautification, plastic surgery emerged with modernity; by the acceptance of the majority, it became one of the social norms and appeared as a daily concern of society, especially in young women (Enayat & Anbari Roozbehani 2017).…”