File(s) not publicly available
Body image and self-esteem among adolescent girls: Testing the influence of sociocultural factors
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 18:16 authored by Daniel Clay, Vivian VignolesVivian Vignoles, Helga DittmarIn Western cultures, girls' self-esteem declines substantially during middle adolescence, with changes in body image proposed as a possible explanation. Body image develops in the context of sociocultural factors, such as unrealistic media images of female beauty. In a study of 136 U.K. girls aged 11 16, experimental exposure to either ultra-thin or average-size magazine models lowered body satisfaction and, consequently, self-esteem. Self-esteem was also lower among older than among younger girls. Structural equation modeling showed that this age trend was partially accounted for by a corresponding downward trend in body satisfaction; this, in turn, was fully accounted for by upward age trends in awareness and internalization of sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, and in social comparison with media models. Results support calls for early educational interventions to help girls to deconstruct advertising and media images.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
Journal of Research on AdolescenceISSN
0743-5584Issue
4Volume
15Page range
451-477Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes