The role of the media in body image concerns among women: A meta-analysis of experimental and correlational studies.
University of Wisconsin–Madison · University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Abstract
Research suggests that exposure to mass media depicting the thin-ideal body may be linked to body image disturbance in women. This meta-analysis examined experimental and correlational studies testing the links between media exposure to women's body dissatisfaction, internalization of the thin ideal, and eating behaviors and beliefs with a sample of 77 studies that yielded 141 effect sizes. The mean effect sizes were small to moderate (ds = -.28, -.39, and -.30, respectively). Effects for some outcome variables were moderated by publication year and study design. The findings support the notion that exposure to media images depicting the thin-ideal body is related to body image concerns for women.
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 59.29
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 168
Authors
3Topics & keywords
- Psychology
- Meta-analysis
- Mass media
- Ideal (ethics)
- Social psychology
- Clinical psychology
- Medicine
- Advertising
- Gender equality