John Mingoia|Amanda D. Hutchinson|Carlene Wilson|David H. Gleaves
The Relationship between Social Networking Site Use and the Internalization of a Thin Ideal in Females: A Meta-Analytic Review
University of South Australia|University of South Australia|Flinders University|Cancer Council SA|University of South Australia
previous research indicated exposure traditional media ie television film print predicts likelihood internalization thin ideal however relationship exposure internetbased social media internalization ideal remains less understood social media differ traditional forms media allowing users create upload content subject feedback users metaanalysis examined association linking use social networking sites snss internalization thin ideal females systematic searches performed databases psychinfo pubmed web science communication mass media complete proquest dissertations theses global six studies included metaanalysis yielded ten independent effect sizes total 1829 female participants ranging age 10 46 years found positive association extent use snss extent internalization thin ideal small moderate effect size r 18 positive effect indicated use snss associated significantly higher internalization thin ideal comparison also made study outcomes measuring broad use snss outcomes measuring sns use solely function specific appearancerelated features eg posting viewing photographs use appearancerelated features stronger relationship internalization thin ideal broad use snss finding suggests ability interact appearancerelated features online active participant media creation associated body image disturbance future research aim explore way sns users interact media posted online relationship linking use specific appearance features body image disturbance