Social media, body satisfaction and well-being among adolescents: A mediation model of appearance-ideal internalization and comparison

Jarman, Hannah K.; Marques, Mathew D.; McLean, Siân A.; Slater, Amy; Paxton, Susan J.

Abstract

Despite adolescents’ prolific use of social media, relationships between social media and body satisfaction and well-being are not yet well understood, especially among boys. This study tested a sociocultural model of body image within the context of social media among adolescent boys and girls. Specifically, this study examined whether appearance-ideal internalization and social appearance comparisons mediated relationships between social media engagement (intensity and appearance-focused use) and body satisfaction and subjective well-being. Australian adolescents between 11 and 17 years (N = 1,579, Mage = 13.45 years, SD = 1.15; 55.4 % boys) completed an online survey. Structural equational modelling indicated that only higher appearance-focused social media use was directly associated with lower body satisfaction and well-being. Generally, higher appearance-ideal internalization and comparisons mediated the relationships between higher social media engagement and lower body satisfaction and well-being. Multi-group analyses indicated these relationships were equivalent across gender. Findings supported the proposed model among boys and girls and extend existing theoretical knowledge to encompass male body image and well-being. Interventions which target internalization and comparisons in the context of social media are likely to be valuable in improving body satisfaction and subjective well-being in co-educational settings.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 12, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Dec 4, 2020
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jan 4, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 5, 2022
• Journal: Body Image
• Print ISSN: 1740-1445
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Pages: 139-148
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.11.005
• Keywords: Adolescent, body image, social media, sociocultural theory, structural equation modelling, subjective well-being
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6969412
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Social media, body satisfaction and well-being among adolescents: A mediation model of appearance-ideal internalization and comparison; Journal Title: Body Image; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.11.005; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.