Photoshopping the selfie: Self photo editing and photo investment are associated with body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls

McLean, Siân A.; Paxton, Susan J.; Wertheim, Eleanor H.; Masters, Jennifer

doi:10.1002/eat.22449

Cited by 313 publications

(320 citation statements)

References 39 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

253

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Engagement in social media by young people is escalating and frequently occupies greater than 2 hr a Day (Tsitsika et al, ). Cross‐sectional and longitudinal research has shown, however, that greater use of social networking websites and photo‐posting activities on social media are associated with and most likely contribute to the development of risk factors for eating disorders in adolescent girls, including body dissatisfaction, internalization of appearance ideals, drive for thinness, and dietary restraint (De Vries, Peter, de Graaf, & Nikken, ; McLean, Paxton, Wertheim, & Masters, ; Tiggemann & Slater, ). Interventions to address any negative effects of social media use are needed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A pilot evaluation of a social media literacy intervention to reduce risk factors for eating disorders

McLean

Wertheim

Masters

et al. 2017

Intl J Eating Disorders

Self Cite

130

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A pilot evaluation of a social media literacy intervention to reduce risk factors for eating disorders

McLean

Wertheim

Masters

et al. 2017

Intl J Eating Disorders

Self Cite

130

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Among adolescents, the enormous focus on taking and sharing pictures of oneself is associated with even more severe effects. For example, sharing selfies among adolescent girls is correlated to overvaluation of shape and weight, body dissatisfaction, as well as thin ideal internalization (McLean et al, 2015), and a high frequency of Instagram selfie posting is related to conflict in romantic relationships (Ridgway and Clayton, 2016). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Selfie Paradox: Nobody Seems to Like Them Yet Everyone Has Reasons to Take Them. An Exploration of Psychological Functions of Selfies in Self-Presentation

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Selfies appear as a double-edged phenomenon. Taking, posting, and viewing selfies has become a daily habit for many. At the same time, research revealed that selfies often evoke criticism and disrespect, and are associated with non-authenticity and narcissism. The present study (N = 238) sheds further light on the somewhat contradictory phenomenon of selfies and their psychological value. In addition to previous studies on selfies and personality traits, the present research explores relations to popular, habitual self-presentation strategies, self-reflections on own and others' selfie-taking behavior, selfie-related affect, and perceived consequences of selfies, by applying a combination of self-constructed and existing scales [e.g., habitual self-presentation scales (Merzbacher, 2007), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Watson et al., 1988)]. Our findings confirmed habitual self-presentation strategies as a relevant factor for understanding selfies: Participants scoring high on self-promotion (promoting one's strength and abilities) and self-disclosure (revealing one's feelings for earning sympathy) felt especially positive while takings selfies, whereas understatement was correlated with negative feelings. Nevertheless, self-presentational motives were rather attributed to others' selfies than to own selfies. Moreover, others were assumed to have more fun and positive feelings while taking selfies whereas own selfies were judged as more authentic and self-ironic. Altogether, participants expressed a distanced attitude toward selfies, with stronger agreement for potential negative consequences (threats to self-esteem, illusionary world) than for positive consequences (e.g., relatedness, independence), and a clear preference (82%) for viewing more usual pictures instead of selfies in social media. The revealed selfie-bias, i.e., the systematic discrepancy between judgments on own versus others' selfies, and the reported critical attitude toward selfies allows multiple interpretations. Taking peoples' statements literally, selfies should have never become as popular as they actually are. On the other hand, the selfie bias may fulfill a psychological function. Perceiving one's own selfie behavior as self-ironic and only half-committed, allows to fulfill self-presentational needs without feeling narcissistic. In conclusion, we suggest that the playful and somewhat ambiguous support of self-presentation may be a key factor for the success of selfies. Relations to biases and mechanisms from social psychology, limitations of the present study and implications for future research are discussed.Keywords: selfies, self-presentation, motivations, affective experience, self vs. other judgments, selfie bias INTRODUCTIONSelfies have become enormously popular and it is nearly impossible to visit any social media site without seeing our friends' faces in close-up. A selfie is a self-portrait photograph of oneself (or of oneself and other people), taken with a (phone) camera held at arm's length or pointed at a mirror, tha...

show abstract

“…As a key feature of Facebook focuses on viewing and posting photos, 2 it is possible that Facebook contributes to negative body esteem. [3][4][5] Specifically, users are able to present their "best selves," including posting their preferred, carefully selected photos and even digitally altered photos. Both of these strategies may be used in an effort to conform to an unrealistic beauty ideal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facebook usage among those who have received treatment for an eating disorder in a group setting

Saffran

Fitzsimmons‐Craft

Kass

et al. 2016

Intl J Eating Disorders

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective This study explored Facebook use among individuals with a history of receiving treatment for an eating disorder (ED) in a group setting (e.g., inpatient, residential, outpatient group), focusing primarily on comparisons individuals make about their bodies, eating, or exercise to those of their peers from treatment on Facebook and the relation between these comparisons and ED pathology. Method Individuals (N = 415; mean age 28.15 years ± 8.41; 98.1% female) who self-reported receipt of ED treatment in a group setting were recruited via email and social media to complete an online survey. Results Participants reported having an average of 10–19 Facebook friends from treatment and spending up to 30 minutes per day interacting on Facebook with individuals from treatment or ED-related organizations. More comparison to treatment peers on Facebook was associated with greater ED psychopathology and ED-related impairment. Conversely, positive interaction with treatment peers on Facebook was associated with lower ED psychopathology and ED-related impairment. Individuals who had been in treatment longer, more times, and more recently had more Facebook friends from treatment and ED-related organizations as well as spent more time in ED groups’ pages on Facebook. Few participants (19.5%) reported that a therapist asked about the impact of Facebook on pathology. Discussion Interactions on Facebook could affect patients’ recovery and potential for relapse. It may be helpful for treatment providers to discuss Facebook use and its potential benefits and drawbacks with patients preparing for discharge from group treatment.

show abstract

Photoshopping the selfie: Self photo editing and photo investment are associated with body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls

Abstract: Although cross-sectional, these findings suggest the importance of social media activities for body-related and eating concerns as well as potential avenues for targeted social-media-based intervention.

Cited by 313 publications

References 39 publications

A pilot evaluation of a social media literacy intervention to reduce risk factors for eating disorders

A pilot evaluation of a social media literacy intervention to reduce risk factors for eating disorders

The Selfie Paradox: Nobody Seems to Like Them Yet Everyone Has Reasons to Take Them. An Exploration of Psychological Functions of Selfies in Self-Presentation

Facebook usage among those who have received treatment for an eating disorder in a group setting

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About