Comparative effects of Facebook and conventional media on body image dissatisfaction

Abstract

BackgroundAppearance comparison has consistently been shown to engender body image dissatisfaction. To date, most studies have demonstrated this relationship between appearance comparison and body image dissatisfaction in the context of conventional media images depicting the thin-ideal. Social comparison theory posits that people are more likely to compare themselves to similar others. Since social media forums such as Facebook involve one’s peers, the current study aimed to determine whether the relationship between appearance comparison and body image dissatisfaction would be stronger for those exposed to social media images, compared to conventional media images.MethodsA sample of 193 female first year university students were randomly allocated to view a series of either Facebook or conventional media thin-ideal images. Participants completed questionnaires assessing pre- and post- image exposure measures of thin-ideal internalisation, appearance comparison, self-esteem, Facebook use and eating disorder risk.ResultsType of exposure was not found to moderate the relationship between appearance comparison and changes in body image dissatisfaction. When analysed according to exposure type, appearance comparison only significantly predicted body image dissatisfaction change for those exposed to Facebook, but not conventional media. Facebook use was found to predict higher baseline body image dissatisfaction and was associated with higher eating disorder risk.ConclusionsThe findings suggest the importance of extending the body image dissatisfaction literature by taking into account emerging social media formats. It is recommended that interventions for body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders consider appearance comparison processes elicited by thin-ideal content on social media forums, such as Facebook, in addition to conventional media.

Beauty, Body Image, and the Media

“…In line with research on traditional forms of mass media and body image, recent correlational studies reveal that social media use is linked to body image and appearance concerns among both men and women [22]. Also, much like the relationship between the traditional media and body image ideals, the link between social media use and body image is not straightforward; it appears to be afected by various psychological factors, such as individual diferences in the tendency to compare one's appearance to that of others.…”

“…For instance, researchers have begun to bring social media into the laboratory for study. When women passively view mock social media proiles versus models in magazines, there appears to be no diference between the media types in terms of subsequent increases in appearance comparison and body image dissatisfaction [22]. Although some researchers ind that adolescent girls' time spent on the Internet is positively correlated with internalization of the thin ideal, body surveillance, and drive for thinness, experimental studies suggest that mere exposure to one's own social media account does not negatively or immediately impact young women's appearance concerns [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31].…”

Social Media and the Cultural Ideology of Beauty Among Young Black Women in South Africa

“…These authors then argued that the Internet represents a potent sociocultural medium of relevance to the body image of adolescent girls. Other studies on social media and body image (see Kim & Chock 2015;Cohen & Blaszczynski 2015) have shown similar trends of body image concerns, such as pursuit of thinness, body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders.…”

Frequency, Context and Characteristics of Smile Used in Advertising

“…The media tend to emphasize certain things while the others are left out, which infers the way individuals interpret and consider those information, and in that way media can influence public opinion (8,9). Advertising associates better and more glamorous lifestyle with attractive appearance, and uses every communication channel, from newspaper to social media, to spread their messages to all age groups and both genders (10)(11)(12)(13). Media stereotypes play an important role in creating self-dissatisfaction, and after comparing one's own face and body with media`s ideals, people become very self-critical and ashamed of themselves, that is, of their own physical appearance (11)(12)(13).…”

“…Advertising associates better and more glamorous lifestyle with attractive appearance, and uses every communication channel, from newspaper to social media, to spread their messages to all age groups and both genders (10)(11)(12)(13). Media stereotypes play an important role in creating self-dissatisfaction, and after comparing one's own face and body with media`s ideals, people become very self-critical and ashamed of themselves, that is, of their own physical appearance (11)(12)(13). The power of marketing is verified by the fact that the biggest promotors of the oral health and smile esthetics are not dentists nor are preventive campaigns run by the state authorities.…”