Social media usage and body image: Examining the mediating roles of internalization of appearance ideals and social comparisons in young women

Abstract

There is increasing scholarly interest in the effects of social media use on women's body image. Here, we tested the utility of the Tripartite Influence Model – developed for traditional media influences on body image – in explaining the link between intensity of social media use and body image outcomes in young adult women from the United States (N = 579). The study tested a serial indirect mediation effect linking intensity of social media use and body esteem outcomes via internalization and social comparison, as well as a direct effect between intensity of social media use and body esteem measures. The results broadly supported for the applicability of the model. Internalization of appearance ideals and social comparison, respectively, were significant mediators of the relationship between intensity of social media use and body image outcomes. However, the direct link between intensity of social media use and body image was more equivocal. The overall findings suggest possible pathways through which intensity of social media use may influence body image outcomes in young adult women.