Appearance-Related Comparisons Mediate the Relationship between Instagram Use and Body Image Concerns
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Instagram use and body image concerns among female university students and to test whether appearance-related comparisons on Instagram mediated this relationship. A direct relationship between Instagram use and...
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| Format: | Others |
| Language: | English English |
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Florida State University
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| Online Access: | http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_FA2016_Hendrickse_fsu_0071N_13460 |
| Summary: | The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Instagram use and body image concerns among female university
students and to test whether appearance-related comparisons on Instagram mediated this relationship. A direct relationship between
Instagram use and body image concerns was not found, but appearance-related comparisons on Instagram mediated the relationship. The
results suggest that Instagram negatively affects the body image of users who engage in appearance-related comparisons. Another purpose of
this study was to determine the role of intrasexual competitiveness for mates and to test whether individual differences in
competitiveness influenced individual tendencies to engage in appearance-related comparisons on Instagram. Results showed a significant
positive relationship between intrasexual competitiveness for mates and appearance-related comparisons on Instagram. Furthermore,
appearance-related comparisons mediated the relationship between Instagram use and drive for thinness. Future studies should consider
exploring the relationship between intrasexual competitiveness for mates, social media use, and body image concerns using experimental
designs. === A Thesis submitted to the School of Communication in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Arts. === Summer Semester 2016. === July 27, 2016. === Body Image, Body Image Concerns, Instagram, Media Effects, Social Comparisons, Social Media === Includes bibliographical references. === Laura M. Arpan, Professor Directing Thesis; Arthur A. Raney, Committee Member; Russell B.
Clayton, Committee Member. |
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