Repercussions of Social Networks on Their Users’ Body Image: Integrative Review

Silva, Ana Flávia de Sousa; Japur, Camila Cremonezi; Penaforte, Fernanda Rodrigues de Oliveira

doi:10.1590/0102.3772e36510

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Social, Work and Organizations Psychology • Psic.: Teor. e Pesq. 36 • 2020 • https://doi.org/10.1590/0102.3772e36510 linkcopy

Repercussions of Social Networks on Their Users’ Body Image: Integrative Review^*

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

This integrative review of literature followed the PICO strategy to investigate the repercussions of the use of social networks on the body image of their users. PubMed, LILACS, PsycINFO and SciELO databases were included as well as articles published between January 2006 and February 2019. Thirty-three articles were analyzed, which compose the corpus of this review. The studies revealed that social networks have a predominantly negative repercussion on the body self-image of their users, increasing levels of body dissatisfaction, also having a negative impact on mood and self-esteem. Added to this, social networks influenced the body type that users would like to have, translated by the lean body profile, considered a model of beauty.

Keywords:
social network; self-concept; body image

Search Strategy	Databases	Number of articles found
Digital social networking AND body dissatisfaction	Scielo, LILACS	2
Digital social networking AND self-concept	PubMed, SciELO*	5
Digital social networking AND body image	PubMed, SciELO, LILACS	9
Digital social networking AND self-concept AND body image	PubMed, PsycINFO, SciELO*, LILACS	0
Facebook AND body image	PubMed, PsycINFO, SciELO*, LILACS	69
Twitter AND body image	PubMed, PsycINFO, LILACS*	24
Fitspiration	PudMed, PsycINFO,	39
Instagram	PubMed, PsycINFO, SciELO, LILACS	455
Social media AND body dissatisfaction	PubMed, PsycINFO, Scielo, LILACS	184
Social media AND self-concept	PubMed, PsycINFO, SciELO, LILACS	664
Social media AND body image	PubMed, PsycINFO, SciELO, LILACS	515
Social media AND self-concept AND body image	PubMed, PsycINFO, SciELO*	274
Social networking AND body dissatisfaction	PubMed, PsycINFO, SciELO, LILACS	28
Social networking AND self-concept	PubMed, PsycINFO, SciELO*	237
Social networking AND body image	PubMed, PsycINFO, SciELO, LILACS	86
Social networking AND self-concept AND body image	PubMed, SciELO, LILACS*	21
Total		2.612

Author (year)	Sample	Objective / Outlining	Instruments for assessing BI	Main results
Hogue and Mills (2019) Canada	143 female students	Examining the effects of following web-celebrities profiles from social networks (considered beautiful and attractive) on body self-image. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Visual Analog Scale (VAS).	Participants who followed these profiles on social networks showed higher levels of negative body self-image vs. group control.
Slater et al. (2019) England	102 adult women	Investigating the influence of exposure to images of thin bodies of celebrities on Instagram vs. exposure to thin bodies of celebrities with humorous content in body satisfaction and humor. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Body satisfaction by visual analog scale (VAS).	Women exposed to images of thin bodies with humorous content had higher levels of body satisfaction and mood (happiness) vs. those that were exposed only to images of thin bodies.
Griffths et al. (2018) Australia	2733 men	Determining whether the frequency of use of different social media platforms is associated with body dissatisfaction, symptoms of eating disorders and thoughts about steroid use. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	The Male Body Attitudes Scale- Revised (MBAS-R)	The greater frequency of use of social media, especially Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, was associated with greater concern with body image and symptoms of eating disorders. There was no association with the use of steroids.
Mills et al. (2018) Canada	110 female graduation students	Testing whether the posting of selfies on social networks, with or without photo editing, has repercussions on the satisfaction with the body self-image and the mood of the students. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Body satisfaction by visual analog scale (VAS).	Students who posted selfies had higher levels of dissatisfaction with body self-image and lower levels of mood, regardless of the photo edition, compared to the control group.
Powell et al. (2018) United States	250 female graduation students	Examining the contributions of levels of social comparison and nutritional status (BMI) in predicting concerns about body image with users of the Pinterest platform. Cross-sectional correlational outlining.	The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ)	BMI values were negatively correlated with body satisfaction levels. The levels of social comparison mediated the relationship with body satisfaction.
Tiggemann et al. (2018) Australia	220 female graduation students	Investigating the effect of the number of likes that accompanied images centered on “ideal” female bodies vs. “normal” female bodies posted on Instagram on the body and facial satisfaction of college students. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Body satisfaction by visual analog scale (VAS).	There was a significant effect of the type of image on body and facial satisfaction, with images of “ideal” bodies generating higher levels of dissatisfaction for both. The number of likes did not result in greater body dissatisfaction.
Tiggemann and Barbato (2018) Australia	128 female graduation students	Investigating the effect of viewing comments associated with photos of attractive bodies on Instagram vs. exposure to comments associated with photos of places and landscapes (control group) in body satisfaction. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Body satisfaction by visual analog scale (VAS).	Body satisfaction levels were lower in the group exposed to comments associated with photos of attractive bodies vs. group control.
de Vries et al. (2016) Netherlands	440 female adolescents	Examining the associations between the use of social media, body dissatisfaction and a positive relationship with parents. Cross-sectional correlational outlining.	The body dissatisfaction subscale of the Body Attitude Test (BAT)	There was a positive association between the use of social media and body dissatisfaction, and this association was weaker in adolescents who reported a more positive mother-adolescent relationship. The parent-adolescent relationship did not moderate the association between the use of social media and body dissatisfaction.
Burnette et al. (2017) United States	38 girls (12 to 14 years old)	Exploring how teenagers use social media and their perceptions of the impact of these media on social comparison and body satisfaction. Exploratory cross-sectional outlining.	Six focus groups	The adolescents reported concerns about appearance and social comparison associated with the use of social media (Snapchat and Instagram), which was high in this sample. However, parents restricted this use, which seems to mitigate the negative association between exposure to these media and satisfaction with body self-image.
Cohen et al. (2017) Australia	259 women	Identifying which activities performed on the social networks Facebook and Instagram are related to concerns with body image. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	The Body Surveillance Subscale of the Objectified Body Consciousness ScaleSociocultural Attitudes Scale for Appearance (SATAQ-3).	The use of social networks, in general, was associated with concerns about body image. Photographic activity was the main activity associated with such concern.
Howard et al. (2017) United States	445 black women and 477 white women	Examining racial differences in the relationship between the use of social networks, body satisfaction and symptoms of eating disorders. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-16)	The inappropriate use of social networks (considered as the use of social networks to obtain feedback from other people) was positively associated with levels of body dissatisfaction and symptoms of eating disorders, regardless of race.
Hendrickse et al. (2017) Florida	185 female graduation students	Examining the relationship between photographic activities (photo viewing) on Instagram, body satisfaction and pursuit for thinness. Cross-sectional correlational outlining.	Subscale of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI)	The photographic activities were predictors of the desire for thinness and body dissatisfaction, with the variable appearance comparison as a mediator.
Slater et al. (2017) England	160 female graduation students	Examining the impact of exposure to Instagram images with the hashtag Fitspiration vs. images/quotes about self-compassion vs. control group on body satisfaction, body appreciation, negative mood, and self-compassion. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Body satisfaction by visual analog scale (VAS). Body Appreciation Scale, adaptada para o estudo.	Higher levels of body satisfaction, body appreciation and self-compassion, and lower levels of negative mood among those exposed to quotes of self-compassion vs. group control. Lower levels of self-compassion when exposed to Fitspiration vs. group control.
Abbas and Karadavut (2017) Turkey	151 candidates to plastic surgery (aesthetic) of male gender.	Investigating which variables predict the reasons that lead to the pursuit for cosmetic plastic surgery, including the use of social networks. Exploratory cross-sectional outlining.	Body Image Scale	The frequent use of social networks, more time spent on television and lower levels of body satisfaction were predictive factors of the search for cosmetic surgery.
Tiggemann and Slater (2017) Australia	438 female adolescents.	Assessing the relationship between the use of Facebook and the concern with body image. Longitudinal outlining.	Drive for Thinness subscale do Eating Disorder Inventory. Objectiﬁed Body Consciousness Scale.	The longer use of Facebook was associated with increased concern with body image.
Eckler et al. (2017) United States	881 female graduation students.	Assessing the association between time spent on Facebook and satisfaction with body image. Exploratory cross-sectional outlining.	Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ).	Negative association between time spent on Facebook and body satisfaction. The time spent on Facebook was also associated with higher levels of appearance comparison.
Robinson et al. (2017) Australia	106 female graduation students.	Investigating the impact of exposure to fitspiration images (lean and athletic bodies) vs. exposure to images of lean (but not athletic) bodies in body satisfaction. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Body satisfaction by visual analog scale (VAS).	Exposure to images of fitspiration content generated higher levels of body dissatisfaction vs. images of lean but not athletic bodies.
Lira et al. (2017) Brazil	212 female adolescents of a public school.	Check the relationship between the use of social networks and body image. Exploratory cross-sectional outlining.	Escala Brasileira de Silhuetas (Brazilian Scale of Silhouettes). Sociocultural Attitudes Scale for Appearance (SATAQ-3).	Daily access greater than 10 times/day to Facebook and Instagram increased the chance of body dissatisfaction by 6.57 and 4.47 times, respectively.
Flynn (2016) United States	501 female and male graduation students.	Evaluating the effects of exposure to images of ideal bodies on Facebook on body image. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	The Body Area Satisfaction Scale (BASS) do Multidimensional Body-Self.	No significant effects of exposure to images of ideal bodies on body image.
de Vries et al. (2016) Netherlands	604 female and male adolescent students.	Investigating the impact of the use of social networks on body image. Longitudinal outlining.	The Body Area Satisfaction Scale (BASS) do Multidimensional Body-Self	The frequent use of social networks predicts greater body dissatisfaction. There was no difference between the genders.
Brown and Tiggemann (2016) Australia	138 female graduation students.	Assessing the effect of exposure to Instagram vs. celebrity images of unknown (but equally thin) people vs. control situation (travel photos) on body image. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Body satisfaction by visual analog scale (VAS).	Higher levels of body dissatisfaction with exposure to celebrities as well as unknown and thin people, compared to the control situation. This effect was mediated by comparing appearance.
Hicks and Brown (2016) United Kingdom	269 pregnant women.	Assessing the relationship between the use of Facebook and body self-image. Exploratory cross-sectional outlining.	Questionnaire to assess Body Satisfaction in pregnant women developed by the authors, with questions related to body changes during pregnancy.	Pregnant women who had a Facebook profile had higher levels of concern with body image compared to those who did not.
Sampasa-Kanyinga et al. (2016) Canada	4.468 female and male adolescent students.	Checking the associations between the use of social networking websites (SNWs) and self-perception and satisfaction with body weight.	Satisfaction with body weight assessed by a questionnaire constructed by the authors.	Among women, daily use > 2h/day of SNWs increased the likelihood of dissatisfaction with body weight and the desire to lose weight.
Strubel et al. (2016) United States	796 female graduation students.	Assessing the relationship between the use of Facebook and the internalization of beauty ideals and body satisfaction. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Body Satisfaction Scale for Women. Body Shame Scale of 4 items. Sociocultural Attitudes Scale for Appearance (SATAQ-3).	The use of Facebook was positively related to the internalization of beauty ideals, but it was not related to body satisfaction.
Cohen and Blaszczynski (2016) Australia	193 female graduation students.	Verifying the relationship between exposure to Facebook vs. conventional media in body satisfaction and appearance comparison. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Body Area Satisfaction Scale (BASS). Sociocultural Attitudes Scale for Appearance (SATAQ-3).	The appearance comparison was predictive of changes in body satisfaction only with exposure to Facebook. The type of exposure did not moderate the relationship between comparison of appearance and changes in body satisfaction.
Fardouly et al. (2015) Australia	112 female graduation students.	Investigating the effect of exposure to Facebook on body satisfaction and mood. Experimental longitudinal cut outlining.	Body satisfaction by visual analog scale (VAS).	No difference in body satisfaction with exposure to Facebook vs. control situation (domestic crafts website).
Fardouly and Vartanian (2015) Australia	227 female graduation students.	Assessing the association between Facebook use and body image concerns, and checking whether the appearance comparison is associated with these concerns. Cross-sectional correlational outlining.	Body Dissatisfaction subscale (BD). Drive for Thinness subscale (DFT).	Positive association between the use of Facebook and concerns about body image, which was mediated by comparing appearance in general and comparing appearance with close friends, distant colleagues, and celebrities.
McLean at al. (2015) Australia	101 female graduation students.	Evaluating the association between the use of social media, especially in relation to posting selfies, with body satisfaction and with eating restriction behavior. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	The 10-item Body Dissatisfaction subscale do Eating Disorders Inventory.	Higher levels of body dissatisfaction and restricted eating behavior were observed among users who shared selfies on social networks more frequently.
Tiggemann and Zaccardo (2015) Australia	130 female graduation students.	Investigating the effect of exposure to Fitspiration images on body self-image, mood, and self-esteem. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Body satisfaction by visual analog scale (VAS).	Higher levels of body dissatisfaction and negative mood, and lower levels of self-esteem, with exposure to images of Fitspiration vs. control situation (travel images).
Meier and Gray (2014) United States	103 female students.	Investigating the effects of using Facebook on body image. Cross-sectional correlational outlining.	The 8-item Weight Satisfaction subscale do Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BES).	The time spent on Facebook in photographic activities (exposure to appearance), and not the total time spent on this platform, was associated with greater body dissatisfaction, desire for thinness, internalization of the ideal of thin body and self-objectification.
Tiggemann and Slater (2013) Australia	1.087 female highschool students.	Checking associations between the use of Facebook and the concern with body image. Experimental cross-sectional outlining.	Objectiﬁed Body Consciousness Scale-Youth.	The use of Facebook was associated with higher levels of concern with body image. Internet exposure (in general) has been associated with greater internalization of the lean body ideal.
Smith et al. (2013) United States	232 female graduation students.	Analyzing the impact of Facebook misuse on body satisfaction, eating behavior and the presence of bulimic symptoms. Experimental longitudinal cut outlining.	The subscale of Body Dissatisfaction (EDI).	Misuse of Facebook (defined as the tendency to seek negative social assessments and/or to engage in social comparisons via Facebook) was a predictor of increased body dissatisfaction, bulimic symptoms, and episodes of overeating.

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Repercussions of Social Networks on Their Users’ Body Image: Integrative Review*

Abstract

Repercussions of Social Networks on Their Users’ Body Image: Integrative Review^*