The effects of media and peers on negative body image among Chinese college students: a chained indirect influence model of appearance comparison and internalization of the thin ideal

Abstract

Background Negative body image is a common psychological phenomenon among Chinese college students meriting investigation. Peers and the media are important factors that negatively influence body image. This study explored the mechanisms of media and peers promoting negative body image among Chinese college students. Method Data from 407 college students (173 men and 234 women) were collected using the Revised Social and Cultural Attitude Questionnaire of Appearance, Appearance Comparison Scale, Peer Impact Scale, and Negative Body Image Scale. Results Correlational analysis results demonstrated that media attention was not significantly correlated with negative body image. All other variables were significantly positively correlated. Path analysis results indicated that the direct effect of media attention on negative body image was not significant, while the direct effect of peer impact was significant. In addition, appearance comparison and internalization of the thin ideal acted as a chained indirect effect between negative body image, media attention, and peer impact. Conclusions The research revealed that focusing on perfect bodies displayed in the media did not produce a negative body image. However, focusing on the media and peer conversations regarding the body caused the participants to compare appearances and internalize ideal body shape standards, leading to negative self-evaluations.

Exploring Body Image Dissatisfaction and Psychiatric Co-morbidities in Rural India: A Comprehensive Review

“…Influence of family and peers: The impact of family dynamics on children's body image is underscored by research demonstrating that parental endorsement of weight loss activities and adherence to diets can significantly shape children's perceptions of their bodies [ 18 ]. Conversely, a lack of social support from parents has been identified as a correlating factor with body dissatisfaction in young adolescents [ 19 ]. Within peer relationships, discussions centered around beauty and appearance are pivotal in shaping adolescents' feelings and perceptions regarding their bodies [ 18 ].…”

Scrolls and self-perception, navigating the link between social networks and body dissatisfaction in preadolescents and adolescents: a systematic review

“…Extensive research underscores the substantial influence of socio-cultural factors in developing body dissatisfaction (Cafri et al, 2005). Negative body image can originate from various sources, including familial influences, peer interactions, media representations, and societal pressures (Shen et al, 2022), ultimately influencing self-esteem, competence, and social functioning (Hosseini and Padhy, 2023).…”

Images of bodies in mass and social media and body dissatisfaction: The role of internalization and self-discrepancy

“…Social, political, and economic pressures establish and perpetuate notions and norms concerning body image, often equating thinness for women and muscularity for men with attractiveness ( Bessenoff and Snow, 2006 ; Shen et al, 2022 ). Representations of bodies are present in people’s everyday lives.…”

“…Media exposure to desirable body shapes negatively influences one’s body image ( Holmstrom, 2004 ; Boursier and Gioia, 2022 ; Shen et al, 2022 ), eating behaviors ( Stice and Shaw, 2002 ; Griffiths et al, 2018 ; Saunders and Eaton, 2018 ; Guo et al, 2022 ), mental health ( Kim and Sundar, 2012 ; Marengo et al, 2018 ; McCrory et al, 2022 ), and body satisfaction ( Groesz et al, 2002 ; Grabe et al, 2008 ; Ferguson, 2013 ; Burnette et al, 2017 ; Wilhelm et al, 2019 ; Vuong et al, 2021 ). This negative effect on body satisfaction was shown in mass media, like television ( Heinberg and Thompson, 1995 ; Hefner et al, 2014 ; Te’eni-Harari and Eyal, 2015 ) or magazines ( Cusumano and Thompson, 1997 ; Tiggemann, 2003 ), and over various social media platforms including Facebook ( Tiggemann and Slater, 2013 ; Meier and Gray, 2014 ; Griffiths et al, 2018 ), Instagram ( Kleemans et al, 2018 ; Marengo et al, 2018 ; Tiggemann et al, 2018 ), Pinterest ( Lewallen and Behm-Morawitz, 2016 ; Simpson and Mazzeo, 2017 ), and Snapchat ( Marengo et al, 2018 ; Saunders and Eaton, 2018 ).…”