Deconstructing College Students’ Perceptions of Thin-Idealized Versus Nonidealized Media Images on Body Dissatisfaction and Advertising Effectiveness

Abstract

Previous studies focused on revealing the negative effects of media exposure to thin-ideals on body image, such as body dissatisfaction, but overlooked investigating a possible influence of deflated body image after thin-idealized media exposure on advertising effectiveness. Therefore, this study investigated how the exposure of thin- versus non-idealized model images in fashion ads influence body dissatisfaction and advertising effectiveness. A conceptual model was developed, based on social comparison theory. A total of 380 female college students responded to a web-based survey. Results indicate participants exposed to thin-idealized model images showed greater body dissatisfaction and lower advertising effectiveness than those participants exposed to non-idealized model images. However, inflated body dissatisfaction after exposure to thin-idealized model images did not significantly or negatively influence advertising effectiveness. For more positive body image development and managerial implications of fashion advertising strategies, the potential use of non-idealized model images is suggested.