“Everybody Knows That Mass Media are/are not [<i>pick one</i>] a Cause of Eating Disorders”: A Critical Review of Evidence for a Causal Link Between Media, Negative Body Image, and Disordered Eating in Females

Levine, Michael P.; Murnen, Sarah K.

doi:10.1521/jscp.2009.28.1.9

Cited by 393 publications

(275 citation statements)

References 86 publications

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“…A recent review by Levine and Murnen (2009) indicates that while media engagement is certainly a risk factor, it is not a causal risk factor. A study conducted on female undergraduates in the Netherlands suggested that this may be due to the fact that some individuals are more susceptible to media influence than are others (Anschutz, Engels, & Van Strien, 2008).…”

Section: Media Susceptibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Media Influence on Drive for Thinness and Drive for Muscularity

Pritchard

Cramblitt

2014

Sex Roles

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The present study investigated relationships between media influence (exposure, selfcomparison to media ideals and internalization of media messages, societal pressure to have the perfect body, using media as a source of information about how to achieve a certain body ideal) and drive for thinness and drive for muscularity in 311 male and female undergraduates at a university in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. We hypothesized that drive for thinness and drive for muscularity in both women and men would relate to body comparison/ internalization, societal pressure, use of media for information, magazine consumption and television viewing. We also expected television and magazines would have different influences on men and women's drive for muscularity and drive for thinness. Finally, we hypothesized that societal pressure and using media as a source of information would mediate the relation between media exposure (number of magazines read, hours of television watched) and drive for thinness and drive for muscularity in women and men. Students completed surveys on-line. Results revealed using media as a source of information on how to attain the ideal body mediates the relationship between drive for thinness and media exposure in women. Overall, it seems that media and the internalization of general/ non-athletic body ideals may have an impact on drive for thinness in both men and women. Similarly, internalization of athletic body ideals may relate to drive for muscularity in both collegiate men and women in the U.S. Implications for counselors were discussed.

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Section: Media Susceptibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Media Influence on Drive for Thinness and Drive for Muscularity

Pritchard

Cramblitt

2014

Sex Roles

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“…It has now been well established that exposure to thin idealised media images can impact negatively on women's body image (Grabe, Ward, & Hyde, 2008;Groesz, Levine, & Murnen, 2002;Levine & Murnen, 2009;Want, 2009). These negative effects happen particularly for more vulnerable women, that is, for those who have internalised the thin ideal to a greater extent (Dittmar & Howard, 2004;Grabe et al, 2008;Groesz et al, 2002;Heinberg & Thompson, 1995;Yamamiya, Cash, Melnyk, Posavac, & Posavac, 2005) or for whom appearance is important to their self-concept (Dittmar & Howard, 2004;Halliwell & Dittmar, 2005).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of digital alteration disclaimer labels on social comparison and body image: Instructions and individual differences

2016

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“…The experienced group demonstrated greater awareness of the biological basis of EDs than the inexperienced group, demonstrating knowledge more in keeping with published literature [3] and some experienced participants reflected that if the media acted as the key trigger, EDs would be more prevalent, accurately reflecting published literature [43]. Conversely, mirroring previous findings [7][8], the inexperienced group tended to implicate 'attention seeking' and the media as key causal factors and had not considered the role of genetic factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

To what Extent do the Public Need Educating about Eating Disorders?

Harrison¹,

Bertr²

2016

J Obes Eat Disord

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Background: Previous studies highlight poor education around eating disorders (EDs) amongst the public, alongside negative attitudes towards those affected by EDs, which may reduce opportunities for help-seeking. Little is known about whether improved education regarding EDs gained through experience might impact negative attitudes and to attract government funding for public education campaigns, greater knowledge around levels of education is required. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate ED education in 10 adult women with experience of an ED attained through a close loved one's illness and 10 women without experience. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Four themes endorsed by both groups emerged from the data: 1) general education (of individuals, society, health professionals); 2) education regarding the specific nature of the illness (role of food, addiction, severity, impact); 3) knowledge regarding aetiology (biological and social factors, self-esteem and the media); 4) hope and the future (sympathy, empathy and positive outcomes). Experienced participants reported higher education than inexperienced participants although knowledge gaps were observed across all participants and while strong negative views were not expressed, the experienced group offered greater empathy. Conclusion: The general public are relatively poorly educated about EDs and public education programmes are warranted, targeting the above themes, which appeared to be salient to lay individuals.

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“Everybody Knows That Mass Media are/are not [pick one] a Cause of Eating Disorders”: A Critical Review of Evidence for a Causal Link Between Media, Negative Body Image, and Disordered Eating in Females

Cited by 393 publications

References 86 publications

Media Influence on Drive for Thinness and Drive for Muscularity

Media Influence on Drive for Thinness and Drive for Muscularity

The effect of digital alteration disclaimer labels on social comparison and body image: Instructions and individual differences

To what Extent do the Public Need Educating about Eating Disorders?

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