The effects of media and peers on negative body image among Chinese college students: a chained indirect influence model of appearance comparison and internalization of the thin ideal

Investigating the relationship between social media use and the attitudes towards nutrition and body image shame among Iranian female students: A cross-sectional study

Social media are Internet-based services that allow participation in online communities and exchanges. Considering the high and increasing statistics of the use of social media all over the world and its impact on people's lives, the present study aimed to determine the relationship between social media and nutritional attitudes and body image shame among Iranian female students. This cross-sectional study was performed on 201 female student of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran from May to December 2023. Data collection was done using a paper form. Data collection tools included a questionnaire on demographic information, Jahanbani social media use questionnaire, nutrition attitude questionnaire (EAT-26), and Body Image Shame Questionnaire (BISS). SPSS software version 28 was used for the descriptive analysis of the data, to examine the relationships between the studied variables, and to measure and evaluate the accuracy of the AMOS model. Based on the reported results, the indicator of social media usage had a significant and positive direct effect on the attitude towards nutrition of students (P < .05). Additionally, social media usage had a significant and positive direct effect on the indicator of body image shame of students (P < .05). Furthermore, students' attitude towards nutrition had a significant and positive effect on the indicator of body image shame of students (P < .001). The findings underscore the need for interventions that address the negative effects of social media on young women's perceptions of their bodies and their relationship with food. By promoting media literacy, body positivity, and healthy nutritional attitudes, it is possible to mitigate the harmful effects of social media and support the well-being of young women.

Disturbances in eating behavior and body image: The role of attachment, media internalization, and self-objectification

OBJECTIVE

Research has increasingly demonstrated the need to conceptualize the etiology of eating disorders beyond a sole focus on body image disturbance. Attachment patterns, media internalization, and self-objectification have been previously found to play a potential role in the development and maintenance of eating psychopathology.

METHOD

This study 1) examined the associations between eating behavior, body dissatisfaction, attachment, media internalization, and self-objectification, 2) evaluated media internalization and self-objectification as mediators of the relationship between insecure attachment patterns and both eating disorder symptomatology and body dissatisfaction, and 3) explored predictors of eating behavior in a sample of 252 Lebanese individuals between the ages of 18 and 25.

RESULTS

Eating disorder symptomatology was positively correlated with body dissatisfaction, insecure attachment patterns, media internalization, and self-objectification. Positive associations between attachment anxiety and avoidance and eating disorder symptomatology were mediated by media internalization and self-objectification. Positive associations between attachment anxiety and avoidance and body dissatisfaction were also mediated by media internalization and self-objectification. Body dissatisfaction, media internalization, attachment anxiety and avoidance, and self-objectification were identified as predictors of eating behavior, with media internalization accounting for the highest variance in eating behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

Insecure attachment, heightened susceptibility to internalizing unrealistic media portrayals, and an objectifying self-concept were found to be associated with eating disorder symptomatology and body image dissatisfaction. Findings were interpreted in light of suggested directions and considerations for the design of prevention and intervention programs.

Body, image, and digital technology in adolescence and contemporary youth culture

The physical, psychological and social changes that occur during adolescence constitute a physiological crisis that is necessary for development and growth. The establishment of a suitable "self-image" is important for facilitating harmonious psychophysical development during this time. In the current era, digital technology (DT) serves as an extraordinary means of communication for young people, who make significant use of images as a mode of expression. Accordingly, there is growing interest in the relationship between physical development, self-image and use of DT. A review of the published literature on the topic was carried out in April 2024. Fourteen studies (n = 14) were inclused from search of electronic databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, MedLine, and Cochrane Library. The aim of this study is to explore the influence of (DT) on cultural models of adolescent body image, and how this "social" culture can affect wellbeing and development. It was considered that the rise of DT and social media (SM) emphasized in young people the culture of appearance, adherence to ideal models (thinness ideal) and social comparison at an unprecedented level. It was estimated that the digital mechanism works on the adolescent's vulnerability and stimulates the desire for experimentation and amplifies cultural beliefs that expose the young to deviant or pathological behaviors on the body. The use of digital images emphasizes the perception of self by making it more real and alive but empty of content. Our framework highlights that the adolescent can defend himself if he leaves the homologation that the SM condition, regains his own experiences, fill with emotional content and real life the images and the representation of the body.

Influence of TikTok on Body Satisfaction Among Generation Z in Indonesia: Mixed Methods Approach

BACKGROUND

As social media platforms gain popularity, their usage is increasingly associated with cyberbullying and body shaming, causing devastating effects.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the impact of social media on Generation Z users' body image satisfaction. More specifically, it examines the impact of TikTok on body image satisfaction among TikTok users aged between 17 years and 26 years in Indonesia.

METHODS

The methodology used mixed-method approaches. Quantitative data were obtained from 507 responses to a questionnaire and analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling. Qualitative data were obtained from the interviews of 32 respondents and analyzed through content analysis.

RESULTS

This study reveals that upward appearance comparison is influenced by video-based activity and appearance motivation. Conversely, thin-ideal internalization is influenced by appearance motivation and social media literacy. Upward appearance comparisons and thin-ideal internalization comparisons detrimentally impact users' body image satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study are expected to provide valuable insights for social media providers, regulators, and educators in their endeavors to establish a positive and healthy social media environment for users.

Exploring Body Image Dissatisfaction and Psychiatric Co-morbidities in Rural India: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review examines the intricate landscape of body image dissatisfaction (BID) in rural India, shedding light on the multifaceted factors influencing individual perceptions and societal expectations. Delving into cultural nuances, economic disparities, and gender-specific experiences, the study highlights the pervasive nature of BID across diverse age groups. Unveiling the complex interplay between BID and psychiatric co-morbidities, such as depression and anxiety, underscores the urgency of integrated mental health interventions. The review concludes with a resounding call to action for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and communities. It advocates for culturally sensitive mental health policies, targeted healthcare training, and community-driven initiatives to foster environments conducive to positive body image and mental well-being. By acknowledging these challenges and committing to collaborative solutions, this review aims to contribute to developing comprehensive strategies that address BID in rural India and pave the way for healthier and more resilient communities.

Exploring the tripartite influence model of body image and disordered eating among adolescent girls living in Australia, China, India, and Iran

The aim of this study was to evaluate the tripartite influence model of body image and disordered eating among 12-18-year-old girls (N = 900) living in Australia (n = 184), China (n = 293), India (n = 223), and Iran (n = 200). Participants completed measures about appearance pressures from family, peers, and media, thin-ideal internalization, appearance comparisons, appearance satisfaction, and disordered eating. Results indicated that media- pressures were most salient in Australia, whereas Iranians perceived family pressures to be the strongest. Indians felt the most pressure to look attractive from their family and peers, whereas Chinese felt similar levels of pressure from family, peers, and media. Path analyses suggested direct associations from one or more sociocultural factors to appearance satisfaction or disordered eating, with indirect paths via thin-ideal internalization and appearance comparisons emerging in all countries. Certain sociocultural factors contributed more strongly to the internalization of ideals and appearance comparisons within some countries. Multigroup path analyses demonstrated some cross-cultural variations in the strength of the pathways. Findings extend cross-cultural support for a modified tripartite influence model emphasizing culture-based specificities that can further guide preventative efforts to improve body image and eating attitudes among young girls in these four countries.

Translation and psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4) in college students

The current study aimed to translate the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4) into Mandarin Chinese and to examine its psychometric properties. In Study 1 (N = 842, 427 women, 415 men), exploratory factor analysis supported a 4-factor solution for the Mandarin Chinese SATAQ-4, namely Internalization: Thin/Low body fat, Internalization: Muscular/Athletic, Pressures: Family/Peers, and Pressures: Media. Evidence also supported the high internal consistency and convergent validity of the male-subject and female-subject versions of Mandarin Chinese SATAQ-4. In Study 2 (N = 497, 290 women), confirmatory factor analyses supported the previously found 4-factor model, after allowing correlation between residuals of three pairs of items. In Study 3 (N = 294, 129 women), we examined the 3-month test-retest reliability across gender, and the results showed satisfactory ICC for both women (ICC =0.53-0.79) and men (ICC =0.56-0.66). Taken together, the male-subject and female-subject versions of the Mandarin Chinese SATAQ-4 are reliable and valid in evaluating sociocultural attitudes towards appearance.

Images of bodies in mass and social media and body dissatisfaction: The role of internalization and self-discrepancy

Introduction

The study examines the influence on body dissatisfaction of viewed images of bodies transmitted over mass media and social media, as mediated by the internalization of body ideals through media and self-discrepancy (the difference between the perceived actual self and the perceived ideal self).

Method

In this study, the images of bodies individuals view in their everyday media diet are estimated using a newly developed pictorial scale for women (thinness) and men (muscularity). For participants, the perceived body image is formed through mass media (magazines, TV) and social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat). The self-discrepancy theory is then used to explain the effect of images of bodies in the media on the internalization of these body ideals and body dissatisfaction.

Results

Results show that Facebook and YouTube shape body ideals perceived to be prevalent in the media, negatively influencing internalization and self-discrepancy. Self-discrepancy, in turn, increases body dissatisfaction. However, for males, the perceived body ideals in the media did not affect body dissatisfaction, internalization, or self-discrepancy.

Discussion

These results emphasize the importance of combining and comparing mass and social media and differentiating between female and male concerns regarding body image.

Body mass index and attention bias of food cues in women: a mediation model of body weight dissatisfaction

Food attention bias could be used to indicate diet-related diseases in individuals with obesity. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and food attention bias, and the mediating role of body weight dissatisfaction (BWD) on this relationship in women. Seventy-five participants were recruited to complete a visual dot task with eye tracking. The results showed that BMI would positively predict response latency and duration bias on high-calorie foods; the relationship between BMI and response latency of high-calorie food was a complete mediation of BWD; the relationship between BMI and duration bias of high-calorie food was a complete mediation of BWD; and BWD positively predicts response latency and duration bias on high-calorie foods. These findings suggest a positive relationship between BMI and food attention bias, and the effect of a complete mediation of BWD in women.