Always picture-ready: Adolescents' experiences of social media pressures around body ideals and body projects

A. Hermans, J. Veldhuis

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperScientificpeer-review

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Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated that both passive and active social media usage may have a detrimental impact on people’s body image and satisfaction (Faelens et al., 2021; Fioravanti et al., 2022). Moreover, particularly the editing affordances of social media platforms highlight the apparent malleability inherent to contemporary conceptualizations of bodies as projects (cf. Shilling, 2003). Considering this, it is unsurprising that recent studies found a relation between (selfie) editing and a greater acceptance of – and a higher intention to undergo – cosmetic procedures (Hermans et al., 2022; Wang et al., 2022).

Whereas many quantitative studies have examined the link between social media usage, body (dis)satisfaction, and (intended) body projects, fewer qualitative projects have been executed. It is particularly important to focus on adolescents as they are both avid users of social media and adolescents’ self-concept is particularly vulnerable to external influence; moreover, current adolescents have grown up with an unprecedented normalized view of particular body projects, including cosmetic procedures (Ching & Xu, 2019).

In light of the above, this study explored the question of how Dutch adolescents perceive and negotiate body ideals and body ‘projects’ encountered on social media. We particularly focused on attitudes towards cosmetic procedures. To answer the research question, 13 focus groups were conducted with a total of 42 adolescents (aged 14-19), across the Netherlands. Participants were recruited at schools and youth councils around the country to account for national and regional differences. Moreover, we included a diverse group of adolescents with different educational attainment levels. Considering the potentially sensitive nature of the study, we recruited friendship groups for our small focus groups (approximately four participants per group). As Allen (2006, p. 164) has argued, focus groups can be helpful when researching sensitive topics as they may “increase the likelihood of people sharing personal experiences”.
Original languageEnglish
Pages49-50
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Event13th Conference of the Media Psychology Division - , Luxembourg
Duration: 6 Sept 20238 Sept 2023

Conference

Conference13th Conference of the Media Psychology Division
Abbreviated titleMedia Psych
Country/TerritoryLuxembourg
Period6/09/238/09/23

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