Effects of Body Image on Internet Social Networking Site Self-Disclosure

The aim of this study was to investigate whether problematic social networking site (SNS) use (i.e., degree of dependent relationship with SNSs), total SNS time/day, total SNS friends, and specific SNS activities were related to body image (BI), self-esteem (SE), and eating disorder (ED) symptoms/concerns. A sample of young adults ( N = 147) completed an online survey which measured SNS usage, problematic SNS use, BI, SE, and ED symptom/concerns. The findings revealed that females and males spent 4.1 ± 3.9 and 2.9 ± 2.8 hr on SNS, respectively, with the majority of time spent lurking (i.e., looking at another users’ profile but not actually communicating with them). Furthermore, problematic SNS use was found to be related to BI, SE, and ED symptoms/concerns. Moreover, SNS activities, such as lurking and posting comments on others’ profiles, were found to be related to BI, whereas SNS total time was found to be related to ED symptoms/concerns. Overall, this study demonstrates the possible correlational influence of SNSs on BI, SE, and ED symptoms/concerns.

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Adult attachment and self-disclosure on social networking site: A content analysis of Sina Weibo

Personality and Individual Differences ◽

10.1016/j.paid.2018.09.028 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 138 ◽

pp. 96-105 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Liang Chen ◽

Na Hu ◽

Cong Shu ◽

Xu Chen

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Social Networking ◽

Adult Attachment ◽

Social Networking Site ◽

Self Disclosure ◽

Sina Weibo

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An Exploration into the Impact of Social Networking Site (SNS) Use on Body Image and Eating Behavior of Physically Active Men

The Journal of Men s Studies ◽

10.1177/1060826520913264 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 106082652091326

Author(s):

Orla Flannery ◽

Kerrie Harris ◽

Ursula Anne Kenny

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Social Networking ◽

Eating Behavior ◽

Social Networking Sites ◽

Social Networking Site ◽

Future Research ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Physically Active ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact

The rapid proliferation of social networking sites (SNSs) has transformed the way people now socialize and communicate. SNSs have been recognized to contribute to body image (BI) dissatisfaction and disordered eating behavior (EB). Few qualitative studies have explored this issue in men. The aim of the current study was to investigate male SNS use and possible impacts on BI and EB. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight men in the United Kingdom. Interviews aimed to examine men’s views on the potential impact of SNSs on BI and EB. Data were thematically analyzed. Findings suggested that SNSs may be a useful nutrition idea tool and motivational platform for men to improve their diet and exercise uptake. However, results also indicated that SNS use may contribute to BI dissatisfaction and increased risk of disorder. Future research may identify risk factors of SNS use, male BI concerns, and eating pathology across the lifespan.

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‘Strong is the new skinny’: A content analysis of #fitspiration images on Instagram

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105316639436 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (8) ◽

pp. 1003-1011 ◽

Cited By ~ 108

Author(s):

Marika Tiggemann ◽

Mia Zaccardo

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Content Analysis ◽

Social Networking ◽

Healthy Food ◽

Social Networking Site ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Body Type ◽

Type Activity ◽

The Social ◽

Images Of Women

‘Fitspiration’ is an online trend designed to inspire viewers towards a healthier lifestyle by promoting exercise and healthy food. This study provides a content analysis of fitspiration imagery on the social networking site Instagram. A set of 600 images were coded for body type, activity, objectification and textual elements. Results showed that the majority of images of women contained only one body type: thin and toned. In addition, most images contained objectifying elements. Accordingly, while fitspiration images may be inspirational for viewers, they also contain a number of elements likely to have negative effects on the viewer’s body image.

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Appearance-Related Social Networking Sites and Body Image in Young Women: Testing an Objectification-Social Comparison Model

Psychology of Women Quarterly ◽

10.1177/0361684320920826 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 377-392

Author(s):

Veya Seekis ◽

Graham L. Bradley ◽

Amanda L. Duffy

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Social Networking ◽

Social Comparison ◽

Social Networking Sites ◽

Social Networking Site ◽

Drive For Thinness ◽

Appearance Anxiety ◽

Body Image Concerns ◽

Appearance Comparison ◽

Social Appearance Anxiety

In this study, we drew on an integrated model of objectification and social comparison theories to test the associations between young women’s use of social networking sites and their body image concerns. A sample of 338 undergraduate women, aged 17–25 years, completed online questionnaire measures of engagement in three social networking site activities (browsing or following celebrity, fashion, and beauty sites, browsing or following fitspiration-related content, and placing importance on online “likes” and comments). Also assessed were upward appearance comparison, body surveillance, social appearance anxiety, and two indices of body image concerns (drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction). Structural equation modeling was used to test two competing models, both of which posited social appearance anxiety as the immediate precursor to body image concerns. In line with the integrated objectification-social comparison model, results supported a serial mediation model that comprised significant paths from two of the social networking site activities (browsing or following celebrity, fashion, and beauty sites, and placing importance on online “likes” and comments) through, in turn, upward appearance comparison, body surveillance, and social appearance anxiety, to drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction. Viewing fitspiration-related content was associated with body image concerns directly, rather than indirectly. Findings highlight objectification and appearance comparison factors as targets for future interventions regarding appearance-related social networking site use.

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Double-edged effects of role stress on self-disclosure on social networking sites

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.9217 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (8) ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Yang Pan ◽

Zhichao Cheng

Keyword(s):

Social Networking ◽

Role Conflict ◽

Impression Management ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Social Networking Sites ◽

Role Ambiguity ◽

Role Stress ◽

Social Networking Site ◽

Role Overload ◽

Self Disclosure

As the number of users' social connections on social networking sites increases, different types of role stress may occur for these users. We conducted an empirical analysis of 312 WeChat Moments users, to obtain insight into how perceived role stress (role conflict, role overload, and role ambiguity) and different stress responses (impression management vs. social fatigue) influence online selfdisclosure behaviors. The results suggest that role overload and role ambiguity both had a suppressive effect on self-disclosure: Role ambiguity reduced social networking site users' need to maintain a personal network impression, whereas role overload increased their psychological fatigue in relation to interpersonal interactions. Further, although role conflict increased social fatigue, it also promoted the use of more impression management measures to promote self-disclosure. Theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed.

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