The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students

Zhaowei Zhou; Yixuan Dong

doi:doi:10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students

Zhaowei Zhou

, Yixuan Dong^*

Published in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 4)

Received: 3 July 2024 Accepted: 19 August 2024 Published: 20 August 2024

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

This comprehensive study delves into the intricate relationship between problematic social media use and the escalating issue of body image anxiety among Chinese high school students. By meticulously analyzing the roles of beauty ideal internalization and upward social comparison as critical mediating factors, the research uncovers a troubling pattern where a substantial number of students are drawn into a vortex of endless social media browsing and comparative behavior. This engagement is not only linked to an excessive allocation of time on social media platforms but also to the exacerbation of body image anxiety. The findings poignantely illustrate the strong correlations between the propensity for upward social comparison, the absorption of societal beauty ideals, and the subsequent increase in body image anxiety experienced by the student population. The study’s revelations underscore the imperative need for a multifaceted intervention strategy that involves the active participation of social media platforms, educational institutions, and the family unit to cultivate a digital ecosystem that supports mental health and well-being. By addressing the root causes of beauty ideal internalization and upward social comparison, the research aims to equip stakeholders with the insights necessary to design and implement effective solutions, fostering an online environment that nurtures positive body image perceptions and reduces the psychological distress associated with problematic social media use, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more resilient generation of young adults.

Published in	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13
Page(s)	106-110
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Social Media, Body Image Anxiety, Adolescence, Beauty Ideal Internalization, Upward Social Comparison, Mental Health

References

[1]	Anixiadis, F., Wertheim, E. H., Rodgers, R., & Caruana, B. (2019). Effects of thin-ideal instagram images: The roles of appearance comparisons, internalization of the thin ideal and critical media processing. Body image, 31, 181-190.
[2]	Calogero, R. M., & Pina, A.. (2011). Body guilt: preliminary evidence for a further subjective experience of self-objectification. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 35(3), 428. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361684311408564
[3]	Guizzo, F., & Cadinu, M. (2017). Effects of objectifying gaze on female cognitive performance: the role of flow experience and internalization of beauty ideals. Br J Soc Psychol.
[4]	Kuss DJ, Griffiths MD. Social Networking Sites and Addiction: Ten Lessons Learned. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2017; 14(3): 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14030311
[5]	Lowe-Calverley, E., & Grieve, R. (2021). Do the metrics matter? An experimental investigation of Instagram influencer effects on mood and body dissatisfaction. Body image, 36, 1-4.
[6]	Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370-396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346
[7]	Pan, W., Mu, Z., & Tang, Z. (2022). Social media influencer viewing and intentions to change appearance: a large scale cross-sectional survey on female social media users in China. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 846390.
[8]	Seaton, M., Wheeler, L., & Marsh, H. W.. (2004). Assimilation and contrast effects in social comparison and automatic behavior: or, how to change your iq.
[9]	Sherlock, M., & Wagstaff, D. L. (2019). Exploring the relationship between frequency of Instagram use, exposure to idealized images, and psychological well-being in women. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 8(4), 482.
[10]	Slater, A., Varsani, N., & Diedrichs, P. C. (2017). # fitspo or# loveyourself? The impact of fitspiration and self-compassion Instagram images on women’s body image, self-compassion, and mood. Body image, 22, 87-96.
[11]	Twenge, J. M., Joiner, T. E., Rogers, M. L., & Martin, G. N. (2018). Increases in Depressive Symptoms, Suicide-Related Outcomes, and Suicide Rates Among U.S. Adolescents After 2010 and Links to Increased New Media Screen Time. Clinical Psychological Science, 6(1), 3-17. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702617723376
[12]	Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2011). Online communication and adolescent psychosocial development. Journal of Adolescent Health, 48(1), 121-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.08.020

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Zhou, Z., Dong, Y. (2024). The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 13(4), 106-110. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Zhou, Z.; Dong, Y. The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students. Psychol. Behav. Sci. 2024, 13(4), 106-110. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Zhou Z, Dong Y. The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students. Psychol Behav Sci. 2024;13(4):106-110. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13,
  author = {Zhaowei Zhou and Yixuan Dong},
  title = {The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students
},
  journal = {Psychology and Behavioral Sciences},
  volume = {13},
  number = {4},
  pages = {106-110},
  doi = {10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pbs.20241304.13},
  abstract = {This comprehensive study delves into the intricate relationship between problematic social media use and the escalating issue of body image anxiety among Chinese high school students. By meticulously analyzing the roles of beauty ideal internalization and upward social comparison as critical mediating factors, the research uncovers a troubling pattern where a substantial number of students are drawn into a vortex of endless social media browsing and comparative behavior. This engagement is not only linked to an excessive allocation of time on social media platforms but also to the exacerbation of body image anxiety. The findings poignantely illustrate the strong correlations between the propensity for upward social comparison, the absorption of societal beauty ideals, and the subsequent increase in body image anxiety experienced by the student population. The study’s revelations underscore the imperative need for a multifaceted intervention strategy that involves the active participation of social media platforms, educational institutions, and the family unit to cultivate a digital ecosystem that supports mental health and well-being. By addressing the root causes of beauty ideal internalization and upward social comparison, the research aims to equip stakeholders with the insights necessary to design and implement effective solutions, fostering an online environment that nurtures positive body image perceptions and reduces the psychological distress associated with problematic social media use, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more resilient generation of young adults.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students

AU  - Zhaowei Zhou
AU  - Yixuan Dong
Y1  - 2024/08/20
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13
T2  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JF  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JO  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
SP  - 106
EP  - 110
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7845
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13
AB  - This comprehensive study delves into the intricate relationship between problematic social media use and the escalating issue of body image anxiety among Chinese high school students. By meticulously analyzing the roles of beauty ideal internalization and upward social comparison as critical mediating factors, the research uncovers a troubling pattern where a substantial number of students are drawn into a vortex of endless social media browsing and comparative behavior. This engagement is not only linked to an excessive allocation of time on social media platforms but also to the exacerbation of body image anxiety. The findings poignantely illustrate the strong correlations between the propensity for upward social comparison, the absorption of societal beauty ideals, and the subsequent increase in body image anxiety experienced by the student population. The study’s revelations underscore the imperative need for a multifaceted intervention strategy that involves the active participation of social media platforms, educational institutions, and the family unit to cultivate a digital ecosystem that supports mental health and well-being. By addressing the root causes of beauty ideal internalization and upward social comparison, the research aims to equip stakeholders with the insights necessary to design and implement effective solutions, fostering an online environment that nurtures positive body image perceptions and reduces the psychological distress associated with problematic social media use, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more resilient generation of young adults.

VL  - 13
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Zhaowei Zhou

Jinan Xinhang Experimental Foreign Language School, Jinan, China

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-6783-7432
Yixuan Dong

Jinan Xinhang Experimental Foreign Language School, Jinan, China

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-6018-7695

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Zhou, Z., Dong, Y. (2024). The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 13(4), 106-110. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Zhou, Z.; Dong, Y. The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students. Psychol. Behav. Sci. 2024, 13(4), 106-110. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Zhou Z, Dong Y. The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students. Psychol Behav Sci. 2024;13(4):106-110. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13,
  author = {Zhaowei Zhou and Yixuan Dong},
  title = {The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students
},
  journal = {Psychology and Behavioral Sciences},
  volume = {13},
  number = {4},
  pages = {106-110},
  doi = {10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pbs.20241304.13},
  abstract = {This comprehensive study delves into the intricate relationship between problematic social media use and the escalating issue of body image anxiety among Chinese high school students. By meticulously analyzing the roles of beauty ideal internalization and upward social comparison as critical mediating factors, the research uncovers a troubling pattern where a substantial number of students are drawn into a vortex of endless social media browsing and comparative behavior. This engagement is not only linked to an excessive allocation of time on social media platforms but also to the exacerbation of body image anxiety. The findings poignantely illustrate the strong correlations between the propensity for upward social comparison, the absorption of societal beauty ideals, and the subsequent increase in body image anxiety experienced by the student population. The study’s revelations underscore the imperative need for a multifaceted intervention strategy that involves the active participation of social media platforms, educational institutions, and the family unit to cultivate a digital ecosystem that supports mental health and well-being. By addressing the root causes of beauty ideal internalization and upward social comparison, the research aims to equip stakeholders with the insights necessary to design and implement effective solutions, fostering an online environment that nurtures positive body image perceptions and reduces the psychological distress associated with problematic social media use, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more resilient generation of young adults.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Mediating Roles of Beauty Ideals and Upward Comparison in Social Media’s Influence on Body Image Anxiety Among Chinese High School Students

AU  - Zhaowei Zhou
AU  - Yixuan Dong
Y1  - 2024/08/20
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13
T2  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JF  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
JO  - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
SP  - 106
EP  - 110
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7845
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20241304.13
AB  - This comprehensive study delves into the intricate relationship between problematic social media use and the escalating issue of body image anxiety among Chinese high school students. By meticulously analyzing the roles of beauty ideal internalization and upward social comparison as critical mediating factors, the research uncovers a troubling pattern where a substantial number of students are drawn into a vortex of endless social media browsing and comparative behavior. This engagement is not only linked to an excessive allocation of time on social media platforms but also to the exacerbation of body image anxiety. The findings poignantely illustrate the strong correlations between the propensity for upward social comparison, the absorption of societal beauty ideals, and the subsequent increase in body image anxiety experienced by the student population. The study’s revelations underscore the imperative need for a multifaceted intervention strategy that involves the active participation of social media platforms, educational institutions, and the family unit to cultivate a digital ecosystem that supports mental health and well-being. By addressing the root causes of beauty ideal internalization and upward social comparison, the research aims to equip stakeholders with the insights necessary to design and implement effective solutions, fostering an online environment that nurtures positive body image perceptions and reduces the psychological distress associated with problematic social media use, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more resilient generation of young adults.

VL  - 13
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download