Media Exposure, Social Comparison and Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescents

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.