What the hell are you doing? A PRISMA systematic review of psychosocial precursors of slut-shaming in adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Slut-shaming is a form of discrimination against those who violate gender stereotypes, independent of that person's gender identity or sexual orientation or sexual behaviour and appearance. Slutshaming is a sexual stigmatization perpetrated both by women and men through rumours, criticism and ostracism and it has severe negative effects both on self-identity and interpersonal relations; these effects include avoidance, depression and self-blame. This review focuses on psychosocial factors associated with vulnerability to slut-shaming exposure and was carried out using the new PRISMA protocol. Articles were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science electronic databases. After having initially considered 585 articles, 19 studies were selected for this research. Gender norms and sexual double standards were identified as meaningful precursor variables of slutshaming exposure. Moreover, gender differences were highlighted: female adolescents, young women and LGBTQI+ individuals seem more likely to be at risk of slut-shaming exposure and seem to suffer more severe negative consequences. Certain pivotal recommendations have been made in order to prevent and avoid slut-shaming, and these include developing social interventions targeting gender and sexual discrimination, fostering gender awareness as a protective factor and making informed decisions within a clinical context.

The Dark Threads That Weave the Web of Shame: A Network Science-Inspired Analysis of Body Shaming on Reddit

“…Body shaming can lead to negative health outcomes, self-esteem issues, and a range of mental health problems. Social media platforms, in particular, have been identified as a space where body shaming can thrive [6][7][8]. These platforms offer a level of anonymity and a lack of accountability that can fuel negative attitudes and behaviors.…”