Positive comments, negative outcomes? The potential downsides of appearance-related commentary in ethnically diverse women

Herbozo, Sylvia; Stevens, Serena D.; Moldovan, Christina; Morrell, Holly E. R.

doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.01.008

Cited by 41 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…For example, Tiggemann and Boundy’s (2008) experimental study found that, in addition to the decrease in negative feelings such as distress, women who were higher on TSO experienced heightened body shame following an appearance compliment. Correlational studies with adult (Calogero et al, 2009; Herbozo, Stevens, Moldovan, & Morrell, 2017) and adolescent (Slater & Tiggemann, 2015) women also revealed that appearance compliments are associated with negative affective outcomes, such as increased body dissatisfaction. Among men, appearance compliments were associated with less body dissatisfaction but also with a higher drive to muscularity (the wish to improve one’s looks by becoming more muscular; Nowell & Ricciardelli, 2008; Schuster et al, 2013).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Don’t Bother Your Pretty Little Head”

Kahalon

Shnabel

Becker

2018

Psychology of Women Quarterly

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We examined whether appearance compliments, despite their flattery, undermine cognitive performance. In Study 1, women participants (N ¼ 88 Israeli university students) who wrote about past situations in which they had received appearance compliments (but not competence-related compliments) showed worse math performance than women in a control/no compliment condition-especially if they scored high on trait self-objectification (TSO). In Study 2, men and women participants (n women ¼ 73, n men ¼ 75 Israeli university students) received bogus occupational evaluation feedback, which did or did not include an appearance compliment. Although appearance compliments led to mood improvement among participants with high TSO, they also undermined math performance among both women and men. Because receiving appearance compliments is a common experience for women (whereas men are typically complimented for their competencies), our findings suggest that appearance compliments serve as a mechanism that might subtly perpetuate gender inequality. For the promotion of societal gender equality, it is important that the public is aware that appearance compliments, even if meant well, may create sexist environments.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Don’t Bother Your Pretty Little Head”

Kahalon

Shnabel

Becker

2018

Psychology of Women Quarterly

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“…Body image problems have been highly documented across racial and ethnic groups (Blostein, Assari, & Caldwell, 2017; Bucchianeri et al, 2016; Herbozo, Stevens, Moldovan, & Morrell, 2017). These issues become especially prevalent during emerging adulthood (i.e., 18 to 24) when a large percentage of women attend college or university (Rowling, 2006).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“I’m not White, I have to be pretty and skinny”: A qualitative exploration of body image and eating disorders among Asian American women.

Javier¹,

Belgrave²

2019

Asian American Journal of Psychology

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The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationships between body image, eating disorders, and treatment seeking motivations among Asian American women in emerging adulthood (ages 18–24 years). A total of 26 Asian American women participated in qualitative focus groups of four to six individuals each from December 2015 to February 2016. Constructivist grounded theory was used to analyze focus group data. The resulting theoretical model, the “Asian American body image evolutionary model,” maintains that a central phenomenon of perceptions and interpretation of messages about body image and eating is rooted in three influencing factors: (a) societal influence of mainstream White culture and Asian culture, (b) interpersonal influences of immediate family and close others, and (c) individual influence. An individual’s perceptions and subsequent interpretation of messages may lead to disordered eating and decisions around treatment seeking. The model developed can be utilized by practitioners or clinicians to help obtain a better understanding of the societal, interpersonal, and intrapersonal forces that may shape conceptualizations about body image and eating behaviors among Asian American women. In addition, findings from this study can be incorporated into prevention programs and interventions that focus on mental health among this population.

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“…The results of the current study suggest that receiving positive appearance commentary on Instagram is linked to greater ASMC and (weakly) with body surveillance. These findings indicate that receiving positive appearance commentary, although likely wellintended, may instead reinforce the notion that physical attractiveness is valued (Calogero et al, 2009;Herbozo & Thompson, 2006;Herbozo et al, 2017;Slater & Tiggemann, 2015). Research should continue to examine real comments, what reactions they elicit, and their long-term effects.…”

Section: Limitations and Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…This suggests that receiving likes could serve as a signal of approval of one’s appearance (Baker et al, 2019; Chua & Chang, 2016) and extends previous research finding that (offline) positive appearance commentary is linked to lower body dissatisfaction (Fuller-Tyszkiewicz et al, 2019; Herbozo et al, 2013). However, the association with body surveillance also indicates that likes could simultaneously serve as a reminder that others are evaluating one’s appearance, perhaps promoting body checking behaviors (Calogero et al, 2009; Herbozo & Thompson, 2006; Herbozo et al, 2017; Slater & Tiggemann, 2015). In addition, BMI was negatively correlated with receiving likes, comments, and both positive appearance and nonappearance commentary.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the one hand, cross-sectional and ecological momentary assessment studies with adult women suggest that receiving positive appearance commentary is associated with lower body dissatisfaction (Fuller-Tyszkiewicz et al 2019, Herbozo et al, 2013). On the other hand, receiving positive commentary may remind an individual that appearance is valued, encouraging greater attention to their appearance (Calogero et al, 2009; Herbozo & Thompson, 2006; Herbozo et al, 2017; Slater & Tiggemann, 2015). Indeed, cross-sectional research indicates that positive appearance commentary is linked to higher self-objectification and body surveillance in female adolescents (Slater & Tiggemann, 2015).…”

Section: Appearance Commentary In Offline Contextsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“Ur a freakin goddess!”: Examining appearance commentary on Instagram.

Burnell¹,

George²,

Kurup³

et al. 2021

Psychology of Popular Media

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Frequent use of highly visual online platforms such as Instagram may be linked to greater body image concerns. One prominent feature of Instagram is the ability to receive feedback in the form of likes and comments. The goal of this cross-sectional study (conducted in laboratory and online) was to examine college students' receipt of appearance commentary on their most recent Instagram posts and how this relates to their self-reported body image concerns. The Instagram commentary that 337 students (M age = 20.39) received on their posts was observationally coded for positivity and negativity. Receiving positive appearance commentary was common and linked to greater appearance-related social media consciousness and, weakly, to body surveillance. There were no associations with self-objectification, appearance-contingent self-worth, facial satisfaction, and body dissatisfaction. Negative appearance commentary was not associated with body image concerns. Photos depicting only the self were especially likely to elicit positive appearance commentary. Females received more positive appearance commentary compared to males, whereas males received more negative appearance commentary. Future research should examine long-term effects of receiving appearance comments via Instagram.

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Positive comments, negative outcomes? The potential downsides of appearance-related commentary in ethnically diverse women

Cited by 41 publications

References 37 publications

“Don’t Bother Your Pretty Little Head”

“Don’t Bother Your Pretty Little Head”

“I’m not White, I have to be pretty and skinny”: A qualitative exploration of body image and eating disorders among Asian American women.

“Ur a freakin goddess!”: Examining appearance commentary on Instagram.

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