Abstract
Body dissatisfaction refers to an individual’s negativity regarding their own body image. It is found throughout all individuals, regardless of age or gender. However, studies have shown differences do exist when it comes to body dissatisfaction and an individual’s age or gender. Previous research has been aimed at body dissatisfaction and the causes that leads to an individual’s body dissatisfaction. This study is aimed at analyzing whether or not media exposure has a bigger influence when it comes to body dissatisfaction than psychological factors.
The sample for this study will consist of 450 participants throughout three different areas. The sample is proportionate to the greater population of that area. Participants will be given surveys regarding body dissatisfaction, psychological factors, as well as age and gender. Researchers will collect and analyze the data. Researchers believe that media exposure will have a greater impact on body dissatisfaction than psychological factors.
It is believed that the results will show a greater correlation between media exposure and body dissatisfaction than psychological factors and body dissatisfaction. This correlation is believed to become apparent throughout all women, regardless of age. However, it is believed that media influences will either stay constant or increase with age within the women sample. Researchers also believe that media exposure and body dissatisfaction will also have a greater correlation than psychological factors in the men sample. However, researchers believe that media exposure and body dissatisfaction will either stay constant of decrease with age through the male sample.
Future research should be aimed towards the impact of media exposure on body dissatisfaction when it comes to age and gender. This are two impacts that were presented throughout the current study. Future studies should be aimed to dictate what type of impact results from age and gender in regards to media exposure and body dissatisfaction.
Introduction
Body dissatisfaction refers to an individual negativity regarding their own body image. Body dissatisfaction is found throughout all individuals, regardless of age or gender. However, research has mainly focused on female adolescents and body dissatisfaction. Previous research has been conducted in order to assess the cause of body dissatisfaction. With the growing number of research on the subject, previous research has suggested that media exposures does impact an individual when it comes to body dissatisfaction. Other research has also suggested that psychological factors also have an impact when it comes to an individual’s body dissatisfaction (Bucchianeri et al., 2016, p. 137). This study is aimed to discover whether or not media influences have more of an impact on body dissatisfaction than psychological factors. Researchers believe that media influences have a larger impact when it comes to body dissatisfaction than psychological factors.
Literature Review
Body dissatisfaction is a common theme in today’s literature when it comes to an individual’s psychological well-being. Several studies have been aimed towards understanding what causes body dissatisfaction among individuals in today’s society (Pastore et al., 2015, p. 937). The following are studies conducted on body dissatisfaction and the psychological and media factors that are associated with body dissatisfaction.
Body dissatisfaction
Chen et al. (2015) aimed to investigate the effects of age, gender, and weight has on body dissatisfaction among adolescents. The sample consisted of 1,101 adolescents (505 girls and 596 boys). Data was collected from all participants regarding body dissatisfaction, depression and demographic characteristics. The study found that the relationship between depression and body dissatisfaction differed by weight, however, there were no differences when it came to gender or age. “The findings indicated that the association of body dissatisfaction with depression was significant among nearly all weight-status groups of adolescents, and varied across weight status among males and early adolescence groups” (p. 245). The results of this study suggest that reducing depression in adolescents could be achieved by reducing the level of body dissatisfaction within the depressed individuals.
In Verplanken et al. (2011), researchers attempted to see whether or not habitual habits, such as negative body image, is a factor when it comes to body dissatisfaction. In other words, researchers were trying to discover whether or not an increase in negative thinking impacts an individual’s body dissatisfaction. The results of this study showed that the habitual aspect of negative thinking has a significant impact on body impact “and constitutes a vulnerability factor for feelings of low self-worth and eating disturbance propensity” (p. 685). This study also discusses implication for intervention strategies.
In Jones et al. (2014), researchers attempted to discover when individuals first experience body dissatisfaction. The sample consisted of 44 females between the ages of 12-17 years old. The results of this study suggest that body dissatisfaction is a widespread problem throughout the population. It also found that “body dissatisfaction increased beginning notably at age 14 and increased sharply at age 15, with further increases until age 16” (p. 21). The results of this study suggest that eating disorders start to become present within an individual around the age of 15. Thus, eating disorder prevention must start in childhood and go all the way through adolescence.
Psychological factors
In Gouveia et al. (2014), researchers aimed to explore the association between body image dissatisfaction and psychosocial adjustment. “It aims to explore whether the association between weight status and psychosocial adjustment are mediated by body image dissatisfaction as well as the moderating role of youth’s age and gender on these associations” (p. 2629). The sample consists of 260 children and adolescents aged 8-18. Self-report instruments were used in order to analyze the association. The results of this study suggest that the relationship between internalizing and externalizing problems and weight was independent on the age and gender of the individual. It was found that the younger the individual was, the more of a relationship there was between internalizing and externalizing problems and weight. There was also differences in gender. There was a strong relationship between internalizing and externalizing problems and weight with females. Males, on the other hand, did not show as strong as a relationship. Thus, this study suggests that age and gender does have an impact when it comes to psychological factors and weight.
In Ward et al. (2015), researchers aimed to explore what predicts eating disorders among first-year college students. The sample consisted of 215 first year college women. These women completed surveys the first two weeks of their classes. These surveys consisted of scales were the individual was to rate their eating disorder tendencies. “In general, higher levels on the Helplessness, Hopelessness, Haplessness Scale and higher levels on the Brief College Student Hassle Scale related to higher levels on the Brief COPE” (p. 14). In other words, coping removes the negative implications of stress and depression when it comes to body dissatisfaction. The individuals in this study who have high coping strategies are better able to hand the negative implications that are associated with body dissatisfaction.
Media influences
In Nerini (2015), the researcher attempted to analyze the influences that the media has on body dissatisfaction. The study consisted of 135 Italian preadolescent girls. Sixty-seven of them were non-professional ballet dancers and 68 of the participants consisted of non-physically active girls. The participants completed a questionnaire that assessed their body mass index (BMI)” and perceived media pressure to reach the societal body ideal, thin-ideal internalization, athletic internalization and body dissatisfaction” (p. 76). The results showed that there were no significant differences between non-dancers and ballet dancers when it came to age. However, ballet dancers reported that they had a higher level of athletic internalization and were more dissatisfied with their bodies than the non-athletic women. “Among non-dancers, perceived media pressure predicted body dissatisfaction both directly and indirectly via thin-ideal internalization” (p. 76). Dancers, on the other hand, media pressures predicted body dissatisfaction both indirectly and directly via athletic internalization. However, it did not affect these individuals via the thin-ideal internalization.
In Tok et al. (2012), researchers tested to see whether or not the ideal thin female body image portrayed on the media has different impacts when it comes to athletic and nonathletic female’s body image. The sample consisted of 143 health female athletes and non-athletes. The groups were further divided down into control and experimental groups. The experimental group viewed a slide show that contained approximately 40 thing female body images. These images were selected from various swimsuit advertisements. After the participants watched the slide show, they were asked to complete a series of questionnaires. The participant’s body fat was also measured. The results showed that female athletes had significantly lower social physique anxiety (SPA) than the nonathletic females.
In Roders et al. (2015), researchers conducted a longitudinal study in order to determine the relationship between the media idea and body dissatisfaction amongst young adult females. The study also looked at social appearance comparison in regards to body dissatisfaction. The sample consisted of 277 young adult females who were analyzed over a 14 month period. The results of this study suggest that internalization from the media “precedes and predicts appearance comparison and that body image interventions that target internalization of the media ideal, and social appearance comparison as well as body dissatisfaction are likely to be effective” (p. 706).
Overall
The above literature highlighted the impact that both psychological factors and media exposure has on an individual. However, when it comes to psychological factors, these studies suggest that body dissatisfaction is what leads to the psychological factors (Lofrano-Prado et al., 2015, p. 355). In all of the above studies regarding psychological factors and body dissatisfaction, all studies suggest that the psychological factors stemmed from the body dissatisfaction. Thus, the above literature suggest that media exposure has a bigger impact when it comes to body dissatisfaction than psychological factors. The psychological factors, on the other hand, are a result of body dissatisfaction.
Hypotheses
This study aims to show that the media has a larger influence over body dissatisfaction than psychological factors. In other words, the more media an individual is exposed to, the more body dissatisfaction they will have. Psychological factors will also be explored. The independent variables in this study are media exposure and psychological factors. The dependent variable is body dissatisfaction. In other words, the increase or decrease of media exposure and psychological factors will have a direct impact on body dissatisfaction.
Method
This study will consist of a cross-sectional study. Participants will be selected from three different areas. These participants will be given surveys regarding body dissatisfaction and media exposure. Psychological factors will also be presented in the survey. For example, questions will ask the participant whether or not they suffer from depression and other psychological issues (Siervo et al, 2014, p. 84). Researchers believe that the media exposure will have a greater impact on body dissatisfaction than psychological factors. Below are example of survey questions that participants will answer:
How much media are you exposed to on a given day?
>1 hour 1-2 hours 3-5 hours 5-7 hours 8+ hours
What type of media most interests you?
Twitter CNN Facebook FOX News People Magazine
Where does your ideal body image come from?
Media Family Friends Peers Celebrities Other
On a scale from 1-5, 5 being the most satisfied, how satisfied are you with your body?
1 2 3 4 5
Do you suffer from depression?
Yes Sometimes No
Do you suffer from an eating disorder?
Yes Sometimes No
When looking at a model in a magazine, I feel
Fat Chubby Average Skinny
When I am depressed, I feel
Fat Chubby Average Skinny
What is your gender?
Male Female
What is your age?
0-18 18-23 24-30 31-37 37-45 46-55 56-64 65+
Participants
The sample will consist of both men and women. Each one of the three areas should have 150 participants, thus, 450 participants in all. The sample should be proportionate to the greater population of that area (Patton et al. 2014, p. 2124). In other words, all ethnicities, ages, and gender should be included in the sample. For example, if the area consist of 71 percent females and 29 percent males, then the sample should consist of 71 percent females and 29 percent males. Furthermore, by using a cross-sectional approach, researchers are able to analyze the impact that the media has on body dissatisfaction. The best aspect of the cross-sectional approach is the researcher’s ability to create cohorts in the sample. Cohorts allow researchers to analyze the variables based on specific characteristics, such as age or gender (Ferguson, 2014, p. 1).
Materials/Equipment/Instruments/Measures
This study will use surveys in order to gain proper data. The surveys be presented in a questionnaire style. Participants will them be asked to report the amount of media exposure, psychological factors and body dissatisfaction they endure on a daily basis. All participants should complete the survey. Researchers should then collect the surveys and analyze the data.
Procedure
After participants are selected, they will be given the surveys to complete. Once the researchers receive the finished surveys, researchers should be gain comparing the data. For this type of cross-sectional study, cohorts should be created regarding age, race, and gender. This will allow researchers to analyze data based on specific characteristics.
Results
It is believed that the results will show a greater correlation between media exposure and body dissatisfaction than psychological factors and body dissatisfaction. This correlation is believed to become apparent throughout all women, regardless of age. However, it is believed that media influences will either stay constant or increase with age within the women sample. Researchers also believe that media exposure and body dissatisfaction will also have a greater correlation than psychological factors in the men sample. However, researchers believe that media exposure and body dissatisfaction will either stay constant of decrease with age through the male sample.
For example, researchers believe that individuals who prefer social media (Twitter and Facebook) and spend more than three hours a day on social media, will have less satisfaction with their body image. Furthermore, it is believed that participants who spend more than 3 hours reading magazines like People will have less satisfaction when it comes to their body. On the other hand, researchers believe that individuals who prefer CNN and FOX News and who spend less than three hours utilizing media will have more satisfaction when it comes to their body image. Thus, researchers expect to see a difference when it comes to the type of media an individual is exposed to and body dissatisfaction.
Discussion
The results should show that the more media exposure an individual has, the more body dissatisfaction they have. Researchers believe the results will show that the more psychological factors an individual has the more body dissatisfaction they have. However, this study should suggest that media exposure has a greater impact when it comes to body dissatisfaction than psychological factors. For example, researchers are anticipating that individuals who feel fat when they look at a model in a magazine will not feel fat when they are depressed. This will suggest that media does in fact have a bigger impact when it comes to an individual’s body dissatisfaction.
Researchers believe there will also be differences when it comes to gender and age. The study should show that both men and women are impacted by media exposure, however, men are impacted less the older they get. Women, on the other hand, should either stay constant or increase as they get older. Psychological effects, on the other hand, also will show an impact when it comes to body dissatisfaction. However, researchers are not anticipating much variance when it comes to these psychological factors and age and gender.
If the researchers are correct, then this study will not only show a greater impact when it comes to media exposure and body dissatisfaction than psychological factors, but it will also show variance when it comes to age and gender. If the results show this, then this study should create a foundation for future studies regarding media exposure and body dissatisfaction in regards to age and gender, as well as other defining characteristics (Krawczyk, 2015, p. 109).
Interpretation of results
This study should show a larger correlation between media exposure and body dissatisfaction than psychological factors and body dissatisfaction. This suggests that the more media exposure an individual is subjected to, the more body dissatisfaction they will experience. Furthermore, the study should show that media exposure stays constant or increase in women with age and should decrease with age in men.
Summary
Media exposure should have a larger impact on body dissatisfaction than psychological factors. For example, an individual who feels fat while looking at a model in an advertisement will not feel fat while they are depressed. This study will create pathways for further research regarding age and body dissatisfaction when it comes to media exposure. Further studies should be conducted on the impact of media exposure on body dissatisfaction in regards to age and gender.
Weaknesses and Limitations
The major limitation from this study is stemmed the fact this is a cross-sectional study. While the cross-sectional approach will give researchers the ability to create cohorts from the sample in order to cross-examine data, however, cross-sectional studies do not give researchers the ability to analyze behavior over time (Pearson, 2010, p. 214). A longitudinal approach can help researchers analyze these individuals media exposure and body dissatisfaction over time. In this approach, researchers are able to analyze a particular group of individuals over an extended amount of time. This can allow researchers to analyze the direct impact media exposure has on body dissatisfaction (Gutierrez et al., 2015, p. 839). Over time, researchers can randomly assess participants regarding their current media exposure and their body dissatisfaction. The hypothesis would be the same for a longitudinal study, however, researchers would truly be able to analyze the effects of media exposure and psychological factors have when it comes to body dissatisfaction. By analyzing how much media exposure and any psychological factors currently inflicting a participant’s life, a researcher will be better suited to analyze the effect these factors have when it comes to body dissatisfaction (Brennan, 2011, p. 253).
Suggestions for Future Research
Future research should be aimed towards the impact of media exposure on body dissatisfaction when it comes to age and gender. This are two impacts that were presented throughout the current study. Future studies should be aimed to dictate what type of impact results from age and gender in regards to media exposure and body dissatisfaction.
References
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