Social media photo activity, internalization, appearance comparison, and body satisfaction: The moderating role of photo-editing behavior

Abstract

In this study, we examined the internalization of the ideal body and appearance comparison as mediators of the relationship between appearance-related photo activity on social media and body satisfaction, while exploring the moderating role of photo-editing behavior in the associations among these variables. Young South Korean female social media users (N = 385) aged 20–30 years completed an online questionnaire. The results confirmed that level of appearance-related photo activity on social media is associated with increased internalization and appearance comparison, which in turn can reduce body satisfaction. The results also indicated that the associations between appearance-related photo activity on social media, internalization, and appearance comparison differ according to the level of photo-editing behavior. Specifically, the positive relationships between appearance-related photo activity on social media and internalization, and between internalization and appearance comparison were greater for the group displaying a high level of photo-editing behavior.