Selfie-Objectification: Self-Objectification and Positive Feedback ("Likes") are Associated with Frequency of Posting Sexually Objectifying Self-Images on Social Media

Associations Between Sexualized Media Consumption, Sexual Double Standards, and Sexual Coercion Perpetration and Victimization in Late Adolescent Sexually Active Boys and Girls from The Netherlands

This study examined associations between sexualized media consumption, sexual double standard (SDS) norms, and sexual coercion perpetration and victimization in late adolescence and whether these associations were moderated by gender. Participants were sexually active Dutch secondary school students aged 16-20 years (N = 255, 58.4% girls). Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire at a single time-point. Overall, more sexualized media consumption was associated with higher odds of both sexual coercion perpetration and victimization. These associations did not differ by gender. Specifically, viewing online pornography and sexually oriented reality television more frequently were associated with higher odds of sexual coercion perpetration, whereas viewing others' sexy social media posts more frequently was associated with higher odds of sexual coercion victimization. Finally, stronger endorsement of SDS norms was associated with lower odds of sexual coercion perpetration in girls, but with comparatively higher odds of sexual coercion perpetration in boys. Results indicate that consuming sexualized media and societal sexual double standards is associated with an increased risk of sexual coercion experiences in adolescence.

Sexual objectification versus empowerment: Examining the effects of sexualized women's facial expression on viewers' evaluations of social cognition and self-objectification

Objectification scholarship highlights how traditional media portrayals oftentimes direct attention toward women's bodies and away from their faces which communicate important social information. This study sought to investigate how thin-ideal, white women's facial expression potentially attenuates the negative effects of appearing in a sexually objectifying manner using validated imagery. In a 2 × 3 between-subjects experiment (N = 1001 U.S. adult women; Mage = 42.56, SDage = 12.72), portraits of women varied in their sexualization (non-sexualized vs. sexualized) and facial expression (neutral expression, low-intensity smiling, high-intensity smiling) to better understand how these factors influence dimensions of social cognition (competence, warmth, authenticity), self-promotional attributions, and viewers' own self-objectification. Results revealed that viewers rated sexualized (vs. non-sexualized) women lower in competence and authenticity, as well ascribed more self-promotional explanations for their behavior. Moreover, exposure to sexualized women heightened viewers' self-objectification, regardless of facial expression. Results also indicated that smiling intensity positively influenced viewers' ratings of social cognition. However, there is little evidence that smiling intensity overrides the negative effects of sexualization. Implications for the sexual objectification of women are discussed.

The predictors of objectified body consciousness among adolescents: Socıal appearance anxiety and social media use

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of social appearance anxiety and social media addiction on objectified body consciousness among adolescents.

METHOD

This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 502 adolescents. The Child and Family Information Form, Social Appearance Anxiety Scale, Objectified Body Consciousness Scale-Youth Form, and Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents were used to collect data. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis H test and regression analysis were used.

RESULTS

In the study, being female, being pleased with one's weight, and following and being influenced by influencers all increase levels of self-objectification. It was found that social media addiction, social appearance anxiety, and self-objectification all have an effect on one another.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that social media usage characteristics, social media addiction, social appearance anxiety affect self-objectification.

Violence on social networks related to the body image of young women and its repercussions on health

INTRODUCTION

Social networking sites perpetuate gender stereotypes, inequalities, and gender violence, generating adverse health effects.

METHODS

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between Instagram, alcohol consumption and effects on health, through interviews and discussion groups involving adolescents (high school or university students and workers), during the period from the third to the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

A total of 118 individuals participated in the study. Three coding clusters were identified: (1) Inequality in the representation of men and women on SNSs; (2) Violence towards women's bodies and sexual violence on SNSs; and (3) Health problems derived from violence against women's body image on SNSs. The main focus of our analysis was the exhibition of the female body, in which eroticization of the body prevails and gender roles are perpetuated. Violence is generated towards women in the form of misogynistic attacks for daring to challenge conventional stereotypes. Many interviewees coincide that the main health effects include low self-esteem, anxiety and eating disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

The institutional response to the abuses and violence committed on SNSs against women is weak, and public policies are needed to protect women in these environments where they are especially vulnerable.

How social media images of sexualized young women elicit appearance commentary from their peers and reinforce objectification

Social media platforms like Instagram enable users to share, view, and provide feedback on images, including photographs of oneself (e.g., selfies). In a 3 × 2 between-subjects online experiment, we investigated how women evaluate and react to photographs of their peers on social media and the role that feedback might play in both objectification of others and oneself. U.S. adult young women (N = 256; Mage = 20.06, SDage = 1.57) viewed social media images of sexualized peers, non-sexualized peers, or landscapes (control). Then, they provided feedback on the images via social media hashtags (#) or not (tagging vs. no tagging). Results revealed that participants who viewed sexualized peers demonstrated the highest levels of state self-objectification and were more likely to dehumanize the women in the photos. Hashtags generated by participants indicated that those who viewed sexualized peers engaged in greater appearance-related objectification, specifically related to body parts, and sexual objectification than those who viewed non-sexualized peers. In addition, generating hashtags that specifically focused on body parts heightened viewers' state self-objectification. These findings illustrate the complexities of social media content production and consumption, particularly for young women.

Do selfies make women look slimmer? The effect of viewing angle on aesthetic and weight judgments of women's bodies

Taking and posting selfies is a popular activity, with some individuals taking and sharing multiple selfies each day. The influence of the selfie angle, as opposed to more traditional photo angles such as the allocentric images we see in print media, on our aesthetic judgements of images of bodies has not been explored. This study compared the attractiveness and weight judgements that participants made of images of the same bodies taken from different visual angles over a series of four experiments (total N = 272). We considered how these judgements may relate to disordered eating thoughts and behaviours. Selfies were judged to be slimmer than images from other perspectives, and egocentric images were judged to be the least attractive. The way participants rated bodies seen from different perspectives was related to their own disordered eating thoughts and behaviours. These results contribute to our understanding of how we perceive the images we see on social media and how these might be related to how we feel about our own and other people's bodies.

Does medium matter? Investigating the impact of viewing ideal image or short-form video content on young women's body image, mood, and self-objectification

There is a rising prevalence of short-form videos on social media, particularly since the advent of TikTok. Viewing appearance-ideal images has harmful effects on young women's body image. However, the impacts of viewing appearance-ideal short-form videos on body image are largely unknown. This study investigated the impact of viewing appearance-ideal short-form social media video content on young women's (Mage = 19.19, SD = 1.80) state appearance satisfaction, negative mood, self-objectification, and related constructs, compared to viewing appearance-ideal image content and appearance-neutral content. Young women (N = 211) were shown either: (1) appearance-ideal images, (2) appearance-ideal videos, (3) appearance-neutral images, or (4) appearance-neutral videos. Viewing appearance-ideal content regardless of the medium led to decreased appearance satisfaction, and increased negative mood, and self-objectification, and more state internalisation of appearance ideals compared to viewing appearance-neutral content. Further, if women perceived the appearance-ideal content they viewed to be unedited or unenhanced, they reported less appearance satisfaction after viewing video than image content. Thus, the impact of viewing ideal video and image content taken from social media may have similar effects on young women. However, when ideal content is low in perceived enhancement, viewing videos may be more harmful for appearance satisfaction than viewing images.

Mirror, mirror, on the social media … WeChat Moments usage and negative body image among female college students: Evidence from ecological momentary assessment data

Negative body image is prevalent among women and may lead to physical and mental health problems. Social media-including China's most popular platform, WeChat Moments-aggregates multiple aspects of appearance-related pressure and therefore is an important risk factor for negative body image. The current study examines the relationship between WeChat Moments usage and body image among female college students and the mediating mechanism of body surveillance. A sample of 151 female college students completed a 7-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA), responded to three surveys per day, and provided a total of 2949 EMA responses. We used multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) to examine the hypothesized models at both the between- and within-individual levels. The results showed that both overall WeChat Moments usage and appearance-related exposure on WeChat Moments were inversely and indirectly related to body image through the mediating role of body surveillance at the between-individual level. However, both overall WeChat Moments usage and appearance-related exposure on WeChat Moments were positively and indirectly related to body image through body surveillance at the within-individual level. Our findings indicate that WeChat Moments usage is associated with college women's body image differently at the between- and within-individual level, and body surveillance serves as a crucial underlying mechanism.

Social Comparison and Female Adolescents' Selfie Behaviors: Body Surveillance as the Mediator and Self-Esteem as the Moderator

The current study aimed to examine whether body surveillance mediated the relation between social comparison and selfie behaviors, and whether this mediating process was moderated by self-esteem. A sample of 339 female adolescents were recruited to participate in the present study and completed self-report measures of selfie behaviors, upward and downward appearance comparisons with peers, self-objectification and self-esteem. Results indicated that body surveillance mediated the association between upward physical appearance comparison and selfie behaviors. In addition, self-esteem moderated the relation between body surveillance and selfie behaviors. These findings add to the extant literature by suggesting that selfies may be some new ways of body surveillance and physical appearance comparison, which have some theoretical and practical implications.

Integrating social media variables as predictors, mediators, and moderators within body image frameworks: Potential mechanisms of action to consider in future research

In this article, we consider how social media variables may be integrated as predictors, mediators, and moderators within dominant theoretical frameworks of body image in order to identify potential mechanisms of action that can be empirically examined in future research and used to direct prevention and intervention efforts. To achieve this goal, we first articulate social media variables that have been investigated as predictors, mediators, and moderators in body image research. Next, we present the following critical and sociocultural theoretical frameworks: social comparison theory, tripartite influence model, objectification theory, developmental theory of embodiment, acceptance model of intuitive eating, cultivation theory, and uses and gratifications theory. Additionally, we present the theory of development of critical body awareness, a newly developed model that may provide further insight regarding the relationships between social media and body image-related outcomes. For each model, we articulate extant research that has explored social media variables within its context and explicate how social media variables could potentially be studied as predictors, mediators, and moderators within its structure. To conclude, we address pertinent limitations and gaps within this research space that could direct future research across the theoretical frameworks.

Digital Media Play a Key Role in Influencing Female Breast Perception

The female breast is a symbol of femininity and plays a key role in the female body image. However, factors influencing the preferences for different breast shapes and sizes are still not elucidated. In particular, the role of the emerging social media in breast perception has not been analyzed yet. A representative cohort of 1,049 adults completed a web-based questionnaire containing hyperrealistic 3D models of the female breast in the United States. A machine-learning algorithm (Classification and Regression Tree [CART]) was implemented to identify the most influential factors. The study was able to identify the frequency of pornographic and social media consumption as the most influencing factor for altered breast preferences. Although digital media exposure did not alter satisfaction with the own breast among female participants, the tendency to undergo or history of conducted aesthetic surgery correlated with higher access frequency to digital media. Taken together, the overpowering impact of social media and pornographic consumption on the own body image was shown in preference alterations for different anatomical aspects of the breast in the whole population and distorted self-perception about the breast in female participants.

Sexualized Images on Social Media and Adolescent Girls' Mental Health: Qualitative Insights from Parents, School Support Service Staff and Youth Mental Health Service Providers

This research explored adults' perceptions of how sexualized images typically found on social media might influence adolescent girls' mental health, what support girls might need should they experience mental health difficulties, and how such difficulties could be prevented or reduced. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews with parents of adolescent girls (n = 11) and those who provide support to them: school support service staff (n = 7) and youth mental health service providers (n = 10) located in Perth, Western Australia. All three participant groups perceived sexualized images typically found on social media as exacerbating poor mental health among adolescent girls. Two interrelated themes, emerged with participants describing the 'potential for comparison' and 'pressure to conform' they believed girls encounter on social media that influences their mental health. Participants also explained how they perceived 'counteracting negative influences' related to sexualized images on social media could prevent or reduce the potential for mental health harms among girls, and the importance of adults and services 'keeping up to date' and being 'approachable and trustworthy' when describing the support they believed girls might need. The findings of this study have important implications for the development of health promotion programs focused on social media use and mental health among adolescent girls.

“Why don’t I look like her?” How adolescent girls view social media and its connection to body image

Background

Adolescent girls appear more vulnerable to experiencing mental health difficulties from social media use than boys. The presence of sexualized images online is thought to contribute, through increasing body dissatisfaction among adolescent girls. Sexual objectification through images may reinforce to adolescent girls that their value is based on their appearance. This study explored how sexualized images typically found on social media might influence adolescent girls’ mental health, in positive and/or negative ways.

Methods

In-depth interviews were conducted with girls aged 14–17 years (n = 24) in Perth, Western Australia. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Participants identified body image as a major concern, reporting negative appearance comparisons when viewing images on social media. Appearance comparisons were perceived to exacerbate adolescent girls’ appearance-based concerns. Comparisons also influenced adolescent girls’ efforts to change their appearance and seek validation on social media. The importance of awareness and education from a younger age about social media and its influence on body image was emphasized, as was the need for strategies to promote positive body image and counteract negative body image.

Conclusion

The findings of this study have important implications for professionals working with adolescent girls and for the development of health promotion programs addressing social media use and body image concerns.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-022-01845-4.

Thinking Aloud or Screaming Inside: Exploratory Study of Sentiment Around Work

Background

Millions of workers experience work-related ill health every year. The loss of working days often accounts for poor well-being because of discomfort and stress caused by the workplace. The ongoing pandemic and postpandemic shift in socioeconomic and work culture can continue to contribute to adverse work-related sentiments. Critically investigating state-of-the-art technologies, this study identifies the research gaps in recognizing workers’ need for well-being support, and we aspire to understand how such evidence can be collected to transform the workforce and workplace.

Objective

Building on recent advances in sentiment analysis, this study aims to closely examine the potential of social media as a tool to assess workers’ emotions toward the workplace.

Methods

This study collected a large Twitter data set comprising both pandemic and prepandemic tweets facilitated through a human-in-the-loop approach in combination with unsupervised learning and meta-heuristic optimization algorithms. The raw data preprocessed through natural language processing techniques were assessed using a generative statistical model and a lexicon-assisted rule-based model, mapping lexical features to emotion intensities. This study also assigned human annotations and performed work-related sentiment analysis.

Results

A mixed methods approach, including topic modeling using latent Dirichlet allocation, identified the top topics from the corpus to understand how Twitter users engage with discussions on work-related sentiments. The sorted aspects were portrayed through overlapped clusters and low intertopic distances. However, further analysis comprising the Valence Aware Dictionary for Sentiment Reasoner suggested a smaller number of negative polarities among diverse subjects. By contrast, the human-annotated data set created for this study contained more negative sentiments. In this study, sentimental juxtaposition revealed through the labeled data set was supported by the n-gram analysis as well.

Conclusions

The developed data set demonstrates that work-related sentiments are projected onto social media, which offers an opportunity to better support workers. The infrastructure of the workplace, the nature of the work, the culture within the industry and the particular organization, employers, colleagues, person-specific habits, and upbringing all play a part in the health and well-being of any working adult who contributes to the productivity of the organization. Therefore, understanding the origin and influence of the complex underlying factors both qualitatively and quantitatively can inform the next generation of workplaces to drive positive change by relying on empirically grounded evidence. Therefore, this study outlines a comprehensive approach to capture deeper insights into work-related health.

Exploring the Posting of Nude Photographs on Reddit in Relation to Self-Esteem, Perceived Attractiveness, Narcissism, and Sensation Seeking

While many scholars have explored the sharing of nude photographs one-to-one (i.e., sexting), few have examined the sharing of nudity in a one-to-many context. The current study examined the sharing of nude photographs on Reddit, framing the practice as an act of disinhibited online behavior. A survey (n = 628) was conducted to assess whether Redditors levels of sensation seeking, self-esteem, perceived attractiveness, and narcissism would be related to whether or not they posted nude photographs on the site. Results indicated that posting nudity on Reddit was significantly associated with higher perceived attractiveness and narcissism, but not sensation seeking or self-esteem. The role of gender and sexual orientation in the posting of nudity online was also assessed, and an overrepresentation of nude content produced by females and bisexual persons, as well as an underrepresentation of nude content produced by males and heterosexuals, was found. Findings are discussed in relation to self-concept, sexual health, and the online disinhibition effect.

'It's just one big vicious circle': young people's experiences of highly visual social media and their mental health

Highly visual social media (HVSM) platforms, such as Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok, are increasingly popular among young people. It is unclear what motivates young people to engage with these specific highly visual platforms and what impact the inherent features of HVSM have on young people's mental health. Nine semi-structured focus group sessions were conducted with males and females aged 14 and 15 years (n = 47) across five secondary schools in Northern Ireland. Thematic analyses were conducted, and a conceptual model was developed to illustrate the findings. This study found that features such as likes/comments on visuals and scrolling through a feed were associated with the role of 'viewer', instigating longer-lasting feelings of jealousy, inferiority and pressure to be accepted. To combat these negative emotions, young people turn to the role of 'contributor' by using filters, selecting highlights to post to their feed and adjusting their personas, resulting in temporary feelings of higher self-esteem, greater acceptance and popularity. As users of HVSM are constantly switching between the role of viewer and contributor, the emotions they experience are also constantly switching between instant inadequacy and instant gratification. HVSM appears to trigger an unrelenting process of emotional highs and lows for its adolescent users.

Which are the Effects of Body-Objectification and Instagram-Related Practices on Male Body Esteem? A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

According to the objectification framework, media pressure toward body models promotes the internalization of beauty ideals that negatively influence individuals' body image and self-esteem. Historically, women have been the main target of sociocultural pressures. However, research has recently suggested that self-objectification is a male phenomenon as well, which can be inscribed in men's body experiences. Nevertheless, fewer studies have specifically focused on the male experience and general consequences of body-objectification are yet to be extensively analyzed regarding males' body image features. The current cross-sectional study explores the consequences of body-objectification on male body esteem, specifically testing the predictive role of exercising/dietary habits, body-objectification features, and SNS-related practices on male body esteem.

METHOD

A total of 238 male participants (mean age = 24.28 years, SD = 4.32) have been involved in an online survey. Three hierarchical analyses were performed to test the influence of objectified body consciousness and social networking-related experiences (i.e. Instagram intensity use, photo manipulation, selfie feedback investment) on young men's body esteem with specific reference to the weight, appearance, and attribution features of the Body Esteem Scale.

RESULTS

Findings highlighted that body shame played an interesting key role, influencing negatively all the body esteem dimensions, thus highlighting that attention needs to be deserved on this feature of OBC regarding males' experience. On the contrary, appearance control-related dimensions positively influenced body esteem. Overall, findings confirmed that objectification theory can adequately mark a pathway by which media imagery is internalized also by men and may negatively affect their body esteem.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite some limitations, this study may contribute to enlarging our knowledge on male body image and self-objectification experience and support literature shattering the stereotype that body dissatisfaction is a "female-exclusive" issue. Likewise, beyond some questioning positions, these findings also encourage further exploration of a healthier "control dimension", including body appearance-related activities and beliefs.

Does the Number of Likes Affect Adolescents' Emotions? The Moderating Role of Social Comparison and Feedback-Seeking on Instagram

Instagram is a social networking site (SNS) that facilitate the social-comparison and feedback-seeking (SCFS) processes, which are particularly relevant during adolescence. Likes represent numeric evaluative feedback and seem to be considered as a form of social reward. In this research we examine some psychosocial factors that could influence the Instagram usage intensity (i.e. SCFS and motivations) and analyze the moderating role of SCFS in the relationship between the number of likes on posts and adolescents' emotions. The sample consisted of 182 adolescent students aged between 13 and 18 years (M = 15.35 years, SD = 1.11). The results show that the social interaction, storage, and gossip motivations mediate the relationship between SCFS and Instagram usage intensity, and that the influence of the number of likes on emotions depended on the degree of SCFS. The discussion of the findings emphasizes that likes have a special social and affective relevance for adolescents with high SCFS, who might become more emotionally susceptible to the feedback they received from their audience on Instagram. This research could be a precedent to future research and the development of intervention programs based on the responsible use of SNSs in an educative context.

Social media, body image, and the question of causation: Meta-analyses of experimental and longitudinal evidence

This article presents four meta-analyses that can inform causality in the relationship between social media and body image; 24 experimental samples comparing the effect of appearance-ideal social media images to non-appearance-related conditions (n = 3816); 21 experimental samples examining the effect of contextual features (e.g., comments and captions) accompanying appearance-ideal social media images (n = 3482); 14 experimental samples investigating the effect of appearance-ideal images versus other appearance images on social media (n = 2641); and 10 longitudinal samples on social media use and body image (n = 5177). Social media appearance-ideal images had a moderate negative effect on body image (Hedges' g = -0.61, p < .01), were more damaging in higher- than lower-risk contexts (Hedges' g = -0.12, p < .01), and were moderately more impactful than other social media appearance images (Hedges' g = -0.68, p = .05). These effects were smaller but significant with outliers removed. Social media use had a very small, negative correlation with body image longitudinally (Fisher's Z = -0.08, p < .001). No significant moderators emerged. Clinicians should consider approaches to managing social media use, particularly exposure to appearance-ideal imagery, in case conceptualisation and psychoeducation for clients at risk of, or experiencing, body image disturbance.

Facial Prominence of Political Candidates: Gender Differences in Private and Public Pages on Facebook Profile

The face of a person is an important source of communication and information especially for politicians who are continuously portrayed through media. Voters may use this information to form an impression about the candidates and several inferences may be drawn. Within this frame, research has largely investigated gender differences. One line of research has focused on the facial prominence of people portrayed in pictures, describing a tendency to portray men with a higher face prominence as compared to women. This bias has been defined as the face-ism effect and it has a key influence on the perception of dominance, competence, intelligence, and ambition of the portrayed individuals. Several studies in recent years analyzed the differences between the self-representation of men and women in social media, but no study specifically focused on politicians directly comparing two different types of profiles: private vs. public. In two studies, we analyzed differences in face-ism index comparing male and female politicians both for pictures posted in private and public Facebook accounts. In Study 1 results showed that no difference emerged between men and women engaged in politics when considering public pages; however, when private profiles are analyzed, women displayed a higher face-ism index than their male counterparts. Study 2 partially confirmed results from Study 1 considering Italian politicians. Overall, current results showed a different pattern as compared to previous studies suggesting an increase in perceived agency and dominance for female candidates, particularly emphasized in their private profiles.

Young People's Experiences of Engaging With Fitspiration on Instagram: Gendered Perspective

Background

Fitness inspiration or fitspiration is a term used to describe web-based images of fit people, people in the gym, health foods, or inspirational quotes relating to diet and fitness being shared and consumed via visual social media. The popularity of this content is most notable via the Instagram platform. Currently, the majority of fitspiration research has focused on women’s experiences; however, increasingly, studies have pointed to the need to explore the gendered ways by which people engage with this content.

Objective

The aim of this study is to explore how young men and women engage in fitspiration content on Instagram and provide a gendered analysis of how and why they consume this content.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional web-based survey (N=1213) of UK-based fitspiration users aged 18-24 years consisting of closed-ended questions to capture quantitative data.

Results

The majority actively using Instagram for fitspiration (therefore eligible participants) were women (826/1175, 70.30%). Men were more likely to view content posted by athletes (χ²_{1, N=1153}=71.8; P=.001) and bodybuilders (χ²_{1, N=1153}=32.8; P<.001), whereas women were more likely to view content related to weight loss (χ²_{1, N=1153}=36.8; P<.001), diet plans (χ²_{1, N=1153}=11.9; P<.001), and celebrities’ content (χ²_{1, N=1153}=33.5; P<.001). Men were more likely to use fitspiration as a source of inspiration to exercise to gain muscle or get stronger (χ²_{1, N=1147}=17.9; P<.001), whereas women were more likely to use fitspiration as inspiration for healthy eating (χ²_{1, N=1147}=37.7; P<.001), or to exercise to diet or lose weight (χ²_{1, N=1147}=13.5; P<.001). Women were more likely to engage in passive behaviors such as viewing content on their feed (χ²_{1, N=1139}=7.9; P=.005) or scrolling through accounts (χ²_{1, N=1139}=15.2; P<.001), whereas men were more likely to engage in active consumption by tagging fitspiration accounts in posts (χ²_{1, N=1139}=7.2; P=.007), commenting on posts (χ²_{1, N=1139}=8.1; P=.004), and posting fitspiration content (χ²_{1, N=1139}=6.4; P=.01).

Conclusions

Female fitspiration consumers engaged with content that reinforced the feminine thin but shapely ideal, whereas male users sought out content that reinforced the masculine muscular ideal. Male users were more likely to engage actively with content (eg, posting fitspiration content), while female users were more likely to engage passively (eg, scrolling through accounts, posts, or images). Future research should consider how fitspiration consumption reflects and reproduces oppressive gender ideology.

"Ur a freakin goddess!": Examining Appearance Commentary on Instagram

Frequent use of highly visual online platforms such as Instagram may be linked to greater body image concerns. One prominent feature of Instagram is the ability to receive feedback in the form of likes and comments. The goal of this cross-sectional study (conducted in laboratory and online) was to examine college students' receipt of appearance commentary on their most recent Instagram posts, and how this relates to their self-reported body image concerns. The Instagram commentary that 337 students (M _age=20.39) received on their posts was observationally coded for positivity and negativity. Receiving positive appearance commentary was common and linked to greater appearance-related social media consciousness, and, weakly, to body surveillance. There were no associations with self-objectification, appearance-contingent self-worth, facial satisfaction, and body dissatisfaction. Negative appearance commentary was not associated with body image concerns. Photos depicting only the self were especially likely to elicit positive appearance commentary. Females received more positive appearance commentary compared to males, whereas males received more negative appearance commentary. Future research should examine long-term effects of receiving appearance comments via Instagram.

#Take idealized bodies out of the picture: A scoping review of social media content aiming to protect and promote positive body image

Much evidence has highlighted detrimental effects of social media on body image, and attention has turned towards identifying content that could support and promote positive body image. This study aimed to conduct a scoping review of the emerging evidence focused on social media content that might support positive body image. A total of n = 35 studies (21 experimental) examining social media were identified along with n = 11 studies not specifically focusing on social media but with clear implications. Overall, findings suggest that images that do not portray individuals are most helpful for body image, as well as those portraying appearances diverging from appearance ideals. Our review also identifies types of social media content that have so far not been found to protect body image, and those not sufficiently evaluated. Regarding textual captions and comments, the most promising avenue involves highlighting the contrived and unrealistic nature of social media content. However, empirical data are limited and not robust. Body acceptance-related statements have so far not been found to be helpful for body image, and findings regarding the usefulness of using social marketing strategies (such as hashtags) to identify content that may be more realistic is nascent and conflicted.

Objectifying the body positive movement: The effects of sexualizing and digitally modifying body-positive images on Instagram

The body positive movement on social media seeks to challenge narrow conceptualizations of beauty that media outlets traditionally perpetuate and reinforce. Through a 2 × 2 between-subjects online experiment, we examined how the nature and authenticity of body-positive imagery on social media affects female viewers and their evaluations of body-positive content (N = 425, M_age = 35.47, SD_age = 13.52). Specifically, participants viewed and reacted to a series of 10 body-positive images of women on social media varying in their degree of sexualization (sexualized vs. non-sexualized) and evidence of digital photo modifications (modification icons vs. no modification icons). A control group that featured landscape images was also included. Results indicate body-positive images that are considered sexualized and are believed to be digitally modified can undercut the movement's intended aims: Participants who viewed body-positive images that were sexualized (vs. non-sexualized) and included photo modification icons (vs. no modification icons) reported greater endorsement of traditional beauty ideals (e.g., thinness) and thought the images were shared for self-serving reasons (e.g., to gain likes/shares/endorsements); these relationships were mediated by the extent to which viewers believed these images were sexualized and digitally modified. Further, results indicate that sexualized body-positive images can instigate sexual objectification of others and oneself. Those who viewed control images (vs. experimental body-positive images) produced significantly fewer sexually objectifying words about others and themselves. Implications for both viewers and producers (e.g., individuals, corporations) of body-positive imagery on social media are discussed in light of objectification theory.

The Relationship Between SNS Usage and Disordered Eating Behaviors: A Meta-Analysis

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are common tools with which modern people share their lives and establish social relationships. However, some studies have found SNSs to be associated with eating disorders, although other have identified no connection between the two. To explore the interaction between SNSs and eating disorder behaviors, this study aimed to comprehensively synthesize previous studies using meta-analysis methods. Based on selection criteria, there were 87 effect sizes from 22 studies. After analysis using a three-level random-effects meta-analysis model, a positive correlation between the use of SNSs and irregular eating behaviors was found, r = 0.09 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.11; p < 0.001). In addition, by analyzing potential moderators, body mass index (r = -0.032; 95% CI: -0.058, -0.006; p = 0.019), survey methods, and sample sources was discovered could alter the relationship between SNSs and disordered eating behaviors. Specifically, there was a significantly larger association between SNSs results obtained by paper and pencil surveys and disordered eating behaviors (r = 0.114; 95% CI: 0.081, 0.147; p < 0.001) than that between SNSs results obtained by online surveys and disordered eating behaviors (r = -0.055; 95% CI: -0.102, -0.007; p < 0.01). University students showed a larger correlation between SNSs and disordered eating behavior than other samples (r = 0.089; 95% CI: 0.049, 0.129; p < 0.001). Overall, this meta-analysis confirms that the excessive use of SNSs is associated with an increased risks of disordered eating behaviors. It is hoped that this study can provide a reference for the management and intervention of dietary behaviors related to social networks in the future.

The effects of engaging in digital photo modifications and receiving favorable comments on women's selfies shared on social media

The present study explores how the construction and distribution of selfies might interact with features of newer media to affect women who share selfies on social media. In particular, this study focuses on how specific types of photo modification and the nature of favorable audience feedback received on one's images might exert influence on women's state self-objectification and body image concerns. A 3 × 2 between-subjects lab experiment was conducted to explore how the type of photo modification (appearance modifications, nonappearance modifications, or no modifications [control]) and nature of positive feedback (appearance comments vs. nonappearance comments) affect state self-objectification, state appearance satisfaction, pro-cosmetic surgery attitudes, and willingness to distribute selfies on social media in the future. Results indicate that modifying selfies leads to less appearance satisfaction and lower pro-cosmetic surgery attitudes. Receiving appearance comments on selfies heightens state self-objectification, regardless of the type of photo modification. In addition, the more women self-objectified, the more inclined they were to share similarly objectifying selfies on social media in the future. The findings of this work provide a more comprehensive understanding of how women are impacted by the images they share online.

Adolescents’ selfie-taking and selfie-editing: A revision of the photo manipulation scale and a moderated mediation model

‘Selfie practices’ (e.g., editing, filtering, sharing) have become adolescents’ daily behaviors. The increasing centrality of online visual self-presentation might increase adolescents’ appearance-related concerns, problematic monitoring, and photo manipulation (PM). However, few studies focused on body image control in photos (BICP) and PM, and no studies evaluated the influence of selfie-expectancies on photo-taking and photo-editing. Consequently, two studies were conducted. Study1 psychometrically evaluated the PM scale (N = 1353). Study2 evaluated the mediating role of BICP and the moderating role of gender in the relationship between selfie-expectancies and PM (N = 453). The revised PM scale showed good psychometric properties. BICP mediated the relationship between selfie-expectancies and PM and being male significantly affected the relationship between the variables. Implications for adolescents’ appearance-related issues are discussed.

Adolescents' selfie-activities and idealized online self-presentation: An application of the sociocultural model

Research has indicated that the taking and viewing of idealized selfies can result in negative body image outcomes. Given the negative consequences associated with selfie activities, it is important to explore factors that relate to idealized self-presentation on social media. Combining insights of sociocultural, social comparison, and objectification theory, we distinguished and examined four different pathways linking appearance media exposure to selfie-behavior (i.e., selfie taking/posting and selfie-investment and manipulation) via internalization and social media comparison. Additionally, we examined the protective role of positive peer body talk. A sample of 949 Belgian adolescents aged 14-18 (M_age = 15.45, SD = 1.37) participated in an online survey. Structural equation analyses showed that appearance-related media exposure was positively related to selfie-taking and -posting via internalization and social media comparison. Both internalization and social media comparison were positively related to selfie manipulation and selfie-investment. Additionally, results indicated a protective role of positive peer body talk against thin/athletic-ideal internalization. For adolescents who engaged in more positive body talk, watching appearance-related media content resulted in less thin/athletic-ideal internalization. Overall, the findings emphasize the crucial role of peers -and more specifically peer validation -in reinforcing and criticizing dominant appearance ideals and shaping the way adolescents present themselves online.

Why do selfies increase young women's willingness to consider cosmetic surgery in China? The mediating roles of body surveillance and body shame

The present study was designed to examine a possible two mediator model with both body surveillance and body shame mediating the association of selfie behavior with cosmetic surgery consideration in young adult women. A sample of 588 young adult women participated in this study and completed questionnaires regarding selfie behavior, body surveillance, body shame, and cosmetic surgery consideration. Results indicated that selfie behavior was positively related to cosmetic surgery consideration. In addition, the mediation analysis by PROCESS revealed that body surveillance and body shame mediated the relation between selfie behavior and cosmetic surgery consideration. These findings add to the extant literature by suggesting that selfie behavior may be a new experience of self-objectification, which provide new insights into the relation between selfie activities and cosmetic surgery consideration in young women.

Selfie-engagement on social media: Pathological narcissism, positive expectation, and body objectification - Which is more influential?

The current use of social media platforms by active young users/creators of visual content provides an easy medium to achieve narcissistic goals of self-promotion and attention-seeking, and to socialize with self-objectification experiences. One of the most popular activities associated with social media use is selfie-sharing. Consequently, the global focus on online physical appearance approval could reinforce selfie-engagement as a specific body image-related behavior, potentially associated with selfie-marketing strategies for self-improvement, and problematic social media use. The present study evaluated the main direct effect of pathological narcissism, objectified body consciousness, and expectations toward selfies on young women's and men's selfie-engagement. A total of 570 young adults (66.8% females; mean age = 24.4 years, SD = 3.6) participated in an online survey study. Variables were assessed using the Pathological Narcissism Inventory (Fossati, Feeney, Pincus, Borroni, & Maffei, 2015), Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (Dakanalis et al., 2015), Selfie-expectancies Scale (Boursier & Manna, 2018), and a measure of selfie-engagement. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed on independent male and female subsamples. Results showed that body surveillance and positive selfie-expectancies are consistent selfie-behavior predictors, among both men (R2 = 0.227; p < .001) and women (R2 = 0.332; p < .001). Furthermore, findings confirm women's involvement in appearance concerns and body-image related practices, even though men's engagement in body-objectification deserve attention. The study provides novel findings in the field of self-objectification research as well as contributing to the ongoing debate concerning which psychological factors can be predictive of males' and females' selfie-engagement. The implications of these findings are also discussed in light of the debate on social media use and misuse.

Unique associations of social media use and online appearance preoccupation with depression, anxiety, and appearance rejection sensitivity

Social media (SM) can create a climate of social comparison and preoccupation with appearance, which can pose risks for emotional problems, such as depression and social anxiety. In this study, 763 adolescents and young adults reported time spent and intensity of social media use and preoccupation with both general and appearance-related (AR) social media activities and content. Associations were investigated with markers of depression and social anxiety symptoms and appearance sensitivities - appearance anxiety and appearance rejection sensitivity (appearance-RS). Social media use was positively associated with symptoms of depression, social anxiety, appearance anxiety, and appearance-RS. General and AR preoccupation had unique and positive associations with depression and social anxiety symptoms and with appearance sensitivities. AR preoccupation was also found to strengthen the relationship between time spent on social media and appearance-RS. Although there were gender differences on all measures, with young women scoring higher on all measures, there was no evidence that gender moderated the effects of AR social media preoccupation. Findings support emerging evidence that social media engagement and behavior, particularly activities involving appearance comparisons and judgements, may be more of a risk to depression and social anxiety symptoms and appearance sensitivities than simply the frequency of social media use.

Appearance-Related Social Networking Sites and Body Image in Young Women: Testing an Objectification-Social Comparison Model

In this study, we drew on an integrated model of objectification and social comparison theories to test the associations between young women’s use of social networking sites and their body image concerns. A sample of 338 undergraduate women, aged 17–25 years, completed online questionnaire measures of engagement in three social networking site activities (browsing or following celebrity, fashion, and beauty sites, browsing or following fitspiration-related content, and placing importance on online “likes” and comments). Also assessed were upward appearance comparison, body surveillance, social appearance anxiety, and two indices of body image concerns (drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction). Structural equation modeling was used to test two competing models, both of which posited social appearance anxiety as the immediate precursor to body image concerns. In line with the integrated objectification-social comparison model, results supported a serial mediation model that comprised significant paths from two of the social networking site activities (browsing or following celebrity, fashion, and beauty sites, and placing importance on online “likes” and comments) through, in turn, upward appearance comparison, body surveillance, and social appearance anxiety, to drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction. Viewing fitspiration-related content was associated with body image concerns directly, rather than indirectly. Findings highlight objectification and appearance comparison factors as targets for future interventions regarding appearance-related social networking site use.

The Happy American Body 2.0: Predictors of affective body satisfaction in two U.S. national internet panel surveys

The first national study of body image was reported four decades ago in the article The Happy American Body (Berscheid et al., 1973). To provide a modern follow-up to this study, we used two Internet panel surveys of U.S. adults to examine feelings about appearance (Survey 1: Married N = 1095; Single N = 5481) and weight, appearance, body, and muscle size/tone (Survey 2: N = 1601). Mean ages across samples for men and women ranged from 42-53. On the positive side, many men and women were somewhat-to-very satisfied with their appearance (67 %; 57 %), overall body (61 %; 46 %), weight (54 %; 42 %), and muscle tone/size (56 %; 41 %). Mean gender differences were small (Cohen's ds = 0.18-0.32), as were sexual orientation differences within each gender (ds = |0.00-0.25|). Looking at negative body image, fewer men than women were somewhat-to-very unhappy with their appearance among married (19 %; 29 %) and single participants (29 %; 35 %), and fewer men were somewhat-to-extremely dissatisfied with their appearance (18 %; 24 %), body (27 %; 39 %), weight (36 %; 49 %), muscle tone/size (27 %; 41 %). Nearly one-fifth of men (18 %) and one-fourth of women (27 %) were very-to-extremely dissatisfied with at least one of these traits, highlighting the importance of body image interventions.

Objectified Body Consciousness, Body Image Control in Photos, and Problematic Social Networking: The Role of Appearance Control Beliefs

At present, adolescents' photo-taking and photo-sharing on social media represent ubiquitous practices and objectified body consciousness (OBC) might offer a useful framework to explore online self-presentation and social networking site (SNS) use. Indeed, SNS might represent a highly accessible medium for socializing with self-objectification. However, the relationship between OBC components and problematic SNS use is still understudied. The present study evaluated the previously unexplored predictive role of appearance control beliefs on problematic SNS use, testing the mediating effect of body image control in photos (BICP) across male and female groups. A total of 693 adolescents (55% females; mean age 16 years) participated in the study. Results showed the negatively predictive role of appearance control beliefs on control over body image in photos. Moreover, BICP mediated the appearance control beliefs' negative effect on problematic SNS use in girls. The present study tested the unexplored effect of appearance control beliefs upon problematic SNS use, contributing to the OBC research field and the ongoing debate concerning predictive and protective factors in problematic SNS use.

Self-Objectification and Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Objectification theorists posit that exposure to sexually objectifying behavior, images, etc., leads women in particular to adopt an objectifying self-perspective. State self-objectification (SSO) (i.e., the internalization of the objectifying gaze) is theorized to usurp individuals' cognitive resources by diverting attention to their bodies. The objective of this paper is to systematically review the literature surrounding self-objectification and cognitive performance. Six databases retrieved 1,779 relevant articles. Studies were deemed eligible for inclusion if they (a) quantitatively investigated the relationship between SSO and cognitive performance using valid and reliable measures, (b) were published in a peer-reviewed journal between 1997 and 2019, inclusive, and (c) were available in English. Nine studies fulfilled all inclusion criteria. As the heterogeneity of the literature precluded meta-analysis, narrative synthesis was employed to review the results. While the quality of the studies was mixed, the results of our review support the contention that self-objectification impairs cognitive functioning. Appearance monitoring, actual-ideal self-discrepancies, negative self-conscious emotions, gender schema activation, and stereotype activation are evaluated as potential mechanisms behind the relationship between state self-objectification and cognitive performance, while chronic (trait) self-objectification is evaluated as a potential moderator.

A study of Singapore adolescent girls' selfie practices, peer appearance comparisons, and body esteem on Instagram

Social media allow users to play multiple roles as receivers, exhibitors, and evaluators of idealized images through photo browsing, posting, and editing. In this study, we examined the associations between adolescent girls' various types of Instagram selfie practices and their body esteem. The mediating role of appearance comparisons and the moderating role of direction of comparisons were also tested. A survey was distributed to 303 adolescent girls from three secondary schools in Singapore. Results indicated that the negative associations between participants' photo browsing and editing behaviors and body esteem were fully mediated by peer appearance comparisons. Contrarily, selfie posting had a direct and positive association with body esteem that was not mediated by peer appearance comparisons. The findings suggested that objectifying standards of beauty may permeate adolescent girls' value systems through frequent appearance comparisons on social media. When peer influence was presented in the form of appearance comparisons, it had a strong negative association with body esteem, regardless of the direction of the comparisons involved. The positive relationship between selfie posting and body esteem suggested that peer interactions may benefit adolescent girls' body image development in specific ways that warrants further inquiry.

[Tripartite Influence Scale (TIS) applied to university students: validation study and application]

The Tripartite Influence Scale (TIS) is used to assess the influence of social and family factors on individuals' body image. However, little evidence has been presented on the validity of the TIS construct. The study aimed to estimate the psychometric indicators in TIS and identify the degree of influence of the media, parents, and peers on body image in university students, considering different characteristics. University students of both sexes participated. The psychometric indicators in TIS were assessed for each sex using confirmatory factor analysis. Mean scores were calculated for each TIS factor. Prevalence rates for degree of influence were presented. A multivariate regression model was built to verify the relationship between target characteristics and TIS factor scores. The sample included 791 university students (63.2% women) 18 to 40 years of age. TIS did not initially display a good fit to the samples and was therefore refined. After refinement, the scale showed adequate validity and reliability for women and men. Significant differences were observed in the mean scores between women and men, and in the prevalence rates the majority of the students were in the low category. Work, consumption of food supplements for body changes, age, body mass index, self-rated diet, and level of physical activity were significantly related to TIS factors. Women were generally more influenced than men by the media and peers. Characteristics identified as related to TIS can be relevant for inclusion in clinical and research protocols.

The effects of viewing thin, sexualized selfies on Instagram: Investigating the role of image source and awareness of photo editing practices

This experiment examined how features of images shared on social media sites, such as Instagram, impact and are evaluated by young adult female users. Specifically, we examined conditions under which female viewers (N = 360, M_age = 20.34, SD = 2.74) were more or less likely to internalize the thin ideal after viewing other women's selfies (i.e., images taken of oneself by oneself) posted on Instagram that depicted the thin ideal. We also examined how female viewers evaluated women who posted these selfies. Results indicated that the more female viewers believed that the women digitally modified or altered their selfies, the less likely viewers were to internalize the thin ideal. In addition, the more female viewers believed the women digitally modified their selfies and the more they believed the women were their offline peers (vs. models), the more negatively (e.g., less intelligent, less honest) they evaluated the women. Explanations for why awareness of photo modification and different image sources (peers vs. models) influence evaluations of selfies are discussed.

"Selfie" harm: Effects on mood and body image in young women

"Selfies" (self-taken photos) are a common self-presentation strategy on social media. This study experimentally tested whether taking and posting selfies, with and without photo-retouching, elicits changes to mood and body image among young women. Female undergraduate students (N = 110) were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: taking and uploading either an untouched selfie, taking and posting a preferred and retouched selfie to social media, or a control group. State mood and body image were measured pre- and post-manipulation. As predicted, there was a main effect of experimental condition on changes to mood and feelings of physical attractiveness. Women who took and posted selfies to social media reported feeling more anxious, less confident, and less physically attractive afterwards compared to those in the control group. Harmful effects of selfies were found even when participants could retake and retouch their selfies. This is the first experimental study showing that taking and posting selfies on social media causes adverse psychological effects for women.