Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between media exposure, social
comparison, and body dissatisfaction among adolescents. It was hypothesised that media
exposure, body dissatisfaction and social comparison are likely to be related to each other.
The total number of participants in the current research was (N=349). A demographic
questionnaire, Multidimensional Media Influence Scale (Cooper et al, 1987), Body Shape
questionnaire (8C) (Cusumano & Thompson, 2001), and Iowa Netherlands Comparison
Orientation Measure (Gibbons and Buunk,1999) were employed. The correlational
analysis demonstrated that media exposure and social comparison were positively and
significantly correlated with body dissatisfaction among adolescents. Results suggest that
adolescents experiencing greater media exposure also show higher levels of body
dissatisfaction. Media exposure and body dissatisfaction were found to be significantly
correlated with social comparison, according to hierarchical regression analysis. All
models were shown to be significant. This study has important implications for a wide
range of stakeholders, such as researchers, teachers, parents, mental health specialists,
and legislators. Despite its limitations, the study contributes to understanding the
important, prominent factors that contribute to body dissatisfaction among teenagers and
emphasizes the significance of intervention and prevention strategies in this social media
era.
