How the Exposure to Beauty Ideals on Social Networking Sites Influences Body Image: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies

Abstract

Sharing and viewing photos on social networking sites (SNSs) have been identified as particularly problematic for body image. Although correlational research to date has established that SNS use is associated with increased body dissatisfaction, only experimental studies can enhance confidence in the conclusions drawn. For this reason, this systematic review synthesizes data from 43 experimental studies (N = 8637; %F = 89.56; mean age = 21.58 ± 1.78) examining the effect of viewing idealized images (i.e., attractive, thin, and fit) and body positive content on SNSs on body image. Two studies were conducted on adolescents. Each study had slight variations in how the images were presented for each category (e.g., selfies and photos taken by others). The wide variability in experimental stimuli and psychological moderators used in the published research make a systematic review more feasible and meaningful than a meta-analysis. Findings indicate that viewing idealized images on SNSs lead to increased body dissatisfaction among young women and men. State appearance comparison (i.e., engaging in social comparison while viewing images) significantly mediated the effect, whereas trait appearance comparison (i.e., the relatively stable general tendency to engage in social comparison) was a significant moderator. Mixed results were found regarding the exposure to body positive images/captions. Viewing images on SNSs depicting unattainable beauty ideals leads young people to feel dissatisfied about their bodies, with appearance comparison processing playing an important role. More research is required to assess the long-term effects.

The relationship between Problematic Instagram Use and Eating Disorders psychopathology: An explanatory Structural Equation Model

“…A mediating role of body dissatisfaction in the relationship between PIU and different psychopathological outcomes including loneliness, depression, anxiety, and social anxiety was evidenced by a previous recent study [28]. Additionally, previous systematic reviews [11,12], indicated appearance-based social comparison as one of the main explaining mechanisms of the negative effect of SNSs use on body image. According to social comparison theory, individuals tend to compare their opinions and abilities with others' opinions and abilities [31].…”

“…The negative in uence of using and being exposed to SNSs on body image has been recently evidenced by an emerging body of research. Speci cally, a wide number of studies have found that SNS use is associated with body dissatisfaction and disorderly eating among young women and men [for a systematic review, see 11,12; for a meta-analysis, see 13]. Internalization of beauty ideals, appearance-based comparison and self-objecti cation were found to explain the detrimental effect of SNS use on body image [11], providing support for both the social comparison [7] and objecti cation theory (i.e., internalization of an observer's perspective as the primary view of the physical self) [14] in the eld of SNSs.…”

The Social Media Industry as a Commercial Determinant of Health

“…1 Faculty of Public Health & Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. 2 School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Washington Bothell, Bothell, WA, USA.…”

The Use of Social Networking Sites and Its Impact on Adolescents’ Emotional Well-Being: a Scoping Review

“…In addition, the intensive use of SNSs could reduce self-concept clarity [60]. Recent literature [57,61] has also shown gender differences in online self-presentation: female adolescents were likely to modify their online selfpresentation by editing their photos, which led to lower selfacceptance, including reduced body and life satisfaction [10,62]. Indeed, SNSs make online social status comparisons easier, with negative emotional consequences [63], regardless of explicit negative comments [64].…”