Exploration of How Female Body Image Is Presented and Interpreted on Instagram

Abstract

The aim of the research was to explore the ways that female body image was presented and interpreted on Instagram. Specifically, it aimed to identify how women disseminate their body image on Instagram, examine how viewers respond to women's body image disseminated on Instagram and determine how the women's body image presentation on Instagram influences the viewers' self-perceptions and behavior. To achieve the goal, content analysis was used. The data set consisted of 140 photographs that were collected from hashtags. It was found that body images presented in Instagram highlighted sexuality and attractiveness by emphasizing slim body, long hair, with fewer clothing, followed by photographs communicating business purposes and communicating the ideal body, but only a few photos challenged the majority by creating totally different images, such as women's lifting heavy weights or doing something adventure and wearing a bikini at a larger size. As for the viewers' responses, it was found that most viewers positively respond to body image photographs in Instagram, appreciating wonderful and ideal body image and admiring the transformation. In addition, it was found that many comments show that the viewers are dissatisfied with themselves after comparing their body images with ideal body images. This further suggested self-objectification. As for influence, it was found that the women's body images communicated on Instagram influence the viewers significantly in the following aspects: 1) arousing consciousness and inspiration so as to encourage them to make changes; 2) triggering self-objectification; 3) inspiring use of a new perspective to perceive and expect the body image. The research, nevertheless, was limited in sampling which reduced generalizability of findings.

Instagram Use and Body Dissatisfaction: The Mediating Role of Upward Social Comparison with Peers and Influencers among Young Females

“…Although social media, and Instagram in particular, are frequently blamed for disseminating idealized body images, voluntarily or involuntarily [38], there is little research to date that examines the relationship between the exposure to female influencers on Instagram and women's body image. The first study in this regard was carried out by Brown and Tiggemann [10], who demonstrated that the exposure to Instagram images posted by attractive celebrities was related to higher levels of body dissatisfaction among female participants.…”

“…However, idealized images are not only accompanied by these metrics, but also by comments representing the appreciation of the viewers. Hu [38] states that comments on idealized images such as "Perfection" or "Body goals" can directly influence women's self-esteem, and they can be held responsible for the development of expectations and desires among female adolescents and young women that are in contrast to their actual body perceptions, resulting in negative feelings about their own body. Hence, we were interested in whether and how the associations between different types of Instagram use and body dissatisfaction are mediated by upward comparison with social media influencers.…”

Debating Feminism on Instagram: A Critical Discourse Analysis of @LasIgualadas in Colombia

“…However, this has led to conflicting perspectives among feminist users, as the platform can simultaneously be supportive and harmful to feminism (Hu, 2017). For instance, feminist demands coexist with publications that reinforce patriarchy and objectify women's bodies on Instagram (Hu, 2018). Therefore, Instagram presents itself as a "neutral" space, leaving interpretation to its users.…”

The Influence of Instagram on the Lifestyle of Female Youth: A Case Study of UMT

“…According to the studies Global Sociological Review (GSR) majority of females unconsciously compare themselves with bloggers/influencers on Instagram, triggering the objectivity. And encourage change (Hu, 2018).…”