The Effects Of Media Exposure On Anxiety, Depression, And Global Mood States

Abstract

Previous experimental research has documented that exposure to idealized female models adversely affects women's mood and body image (Stice, 2001). The ultra-thin icon has figured prominently in this research but is not the only image promoted in popular women's magazines. The lean muscular body or hyper-fit physique is also widely represented and research to date has not examined the relationship between media exposure with the fit female icon as opposed to the ultra-thin model. PURPOSE This investigation had several purposes. The primary purpose was to quantify the effects of fitness media exposure on psychological affect. A secondary purpose was to tease out expectancy effects utilization of the Solomon 4 group design. A finalpurpose was to extend this research and measure psychological affect of men while viewing ultra-fit images of males in popular media. METHODS Male and Female volunteers were counterbalanced and randomly assigned to either a fitness or control (no idealized images of males or females present) magazine condition. All participants viewed magazines for 30-minutes. The dependant variables of state and trait anxiety (STAI), tension, depression, anger vigor, fatigue, confusion, and global mood (POMS) were measured with a Solomon 4-group design. Data was analyzed with a series of dependent t-tests and a repeated measure ANOVA on post-test scores comparing with pre-testing conditions. This allowed for speculation regarding pre-test sensitization and expectancy. RESULTS Results indicate that pre-test sensitization was not a significant factor when testing the psychological factors in this investigation. Additionally, the outcomes associated with viewing ultra-fit images in popular media are variable. Significant effects were realized with anxiety, depression and total mood in both genders. CONCLUSION It is concluded that viewing idealized images in the media is not a benign experience and should be further examined.