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EXPERIMENTAL EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON BODY DISSATISFACTION AND EATING PATHOLOGY: UPWARD VERSUS DOWNWARD COMPARISONS
Title
EXPERIMENTAL EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON BODY DISSATISFACTION AND EATING PATHOLOGY: UPWARD VERSUS DOWNWARD COMPARISONS
Creator
Badillo, Krystal Elizabeth
Date
2019
Description
Research has been limited in assessing the different impacts of social media platforms on body dissatisfaction, apart from Facebook. In...
Show moreResearch has been limited in assessing the different impacts of social media platforms on body dissatisfaction, apart from Facebook. In addition, most studies have measured social media use by only assessing time. This study aimed to test experimental effects of social comparison on body dissatisfaction (BD) and desire to engage in eating behaviors. In addition, a mediation model was tested of the association between social media use and BD via social comparison. Participants viewed one of two live public Instagram profiles and were asked questions that facilitated individuals comparing their appearance to the Instagram profile. A total of 74 women completed questionnaires regarding social media use, body image, and eating disorder psychopathology. It was found that regardless of condition, desire to eat decreased after profile views, but there was no change in BD. The mediation model suggests that there was a significant indirect effect of increased BD and importance of Instagram through social comparison. Results suggest that, contrary to earlier work, overall social media use may not negatively impact BD as previously thought. Rather, it appears that trait level factors such as social comparison negatively influence BD while using social media.
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Examining Racial Differences in Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating Following Media Exposure of a Curvaceous Body Ideal
Title
Examining Racial Differences in Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating Following Media Exposure of a Curvaceous Body Ideal
Creator
Dorsaint, Talissa
Date
2021
Description
Previous research has found that internalization of a thin body ideal contributes to negative cognitive and behavioral symptoms, such as body...
Show morePrevious research has found that internalization of a thin body ideal contributes to negative cognitive and behavioral symptoms, such as body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. However, studies supporting a sociocultural model have typically included mostly White samples. Research suggests that there may be racial differences in body dissatisfaction and disordered eating among Black and White women, specifically that Black women may be protected from body dissatisfaction via the buffering hypothesis. However, studies have found that differences in body dissatisfaction between Black and White women are smaller than previously thought. Additionally, Black women do not feel represented in the mainstream media on the basis of their physical appearance and ascribed ideals when exposed to thin ideals. Research is needed to examine the impact of other ideals (e.g., the curvaceous body ideal) on body dissatisfaction, as well as body dissatisfaction for Black women in Western culture. The present study used an experimental design to examine differences in body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors in a community sample of Black and White self-identified women before and after exposure to a thin or curvaceous body ideal. Participants were randomized to a thin ideal or curvaceous ideal condition. All participants completed a demographic questionnaire, baseline measures of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating and Visual Analog Scales before and after viewing thin or curvaceous images. Findings indicated no racial differences in baseline body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. Additionally, associations between baseline body dissatisfaction and disordered eating were significant and align with previous research, but an effect of condition was found on body satisfaction change scores. No statistically significant interaction was found between race and body ideal condition for body dissatisfaction change scores. Finally, change scores of body dissatisfaction measures were not statistically different from pre- to post-exposure of either thin or curvy body ideal conditions. Findings have significant implications for the buffering hypothesis and add to studies that have found small racial differences in body dissatisfaction. Present findings also have implications for assessment and treatment in overall eating pathology as seen by the Sociocultural Model in Black women.
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