Real beauty: Effects of a body-positive video on body image and capacity to mitigate exposure to social media images

Self-objectification of bodies in social networking sites: Mental and behavioral health problems of young female adults

Social network sites (SNS) are becoming a popular means of "digital leisure" among young adults. Several problematic consequences of extensive SNS use have been reported including objectifying bodies on SNS. Thus, in this study, we aimed to understand the specific pathway between young female adults' SNS use and mental and behavioral problems using the objectification theory framework. We conducted structural equation modeling of data from 507 Korean female undergraduates to elucidate the relationships between SNS use and self-esteem, depression, abnormal eating, and exercise dependence, and the mediation effects of body surveillance and body shame. A significant direct relationship between SNS use and problematic consequences was found only between SNS use and exercise dependence. Mediation effects of body surveillance and body shame were confirmed in all four relationships. In this study, the researchers expand the objectification theory's applicability to SNS platforms and identify a potential mechanism of consequent adverse outcomes, providing useful empirical evidence for preventive educational measures.

Body image as a global mental health concern

Body image concerns related to weight or other dimensions of appearance are now prevalent on a global scale. This paper reviews the theoretical frameworks that account for the global similarities and regional differences in rates and presentation of body image concerns, as well as reviewing the extant data. Given the harmful consequences of body image concerns in terms of mental and physical health, their global burden is high. Interventions to mitigate these concerns at the individual and systemic level are warranted.

Social media and body image: Modulating effects of social identities and user characteristics

Social media use and exposure, in particular to highly visual and appearance-focused content, has shown a relationship with poorer body image with small to moderate effect sizes. The aim here was to provide an overview of the theoretical and empirical evidence of the relationships between social media use and body image may vary across individuals. Although evidence exists to support variations in these relationships across different groups, to date, data are scarce and a number of theoretically important groups have largely been overlooked. The available evidence suggests that age may be an important moderating factor of vulnerability to exposure to highly-visual social media content, with younger adolescents most likely to experience negative outcomes. In addition, women and other groups for whom appearance is strongly tied to attractiveness and self-worth may be at heightened risk. Moving forward further research should aim to focus on understanding the relationships between social media use and body image concerns among underrepresented groups, and to expand the focus of to include different aspects of social media use and more sophisticated methodological approaches.