Authors
Heather Gahler, Jiaqi Zeng, Kun Yan, Larissa Terán, Leah Dajches, Jennifer Stevens Aubrey
Publication date
2023/12/1
Journal
Body Image
Volume
47
Pages
101626
Publisher
Elsevier
Description
In light of recent studies demonstrating the detrimental effects of social media use on young women’s body image, we examined the racial composition of young women’s Instagram followers, as well as the racial composition of the individuals in young women’s followed Instagram accounts, in relation to their appearance ideals and body image. Based on social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), we tested two main propositions. First, women who have racially similar followers and followed accounts will be more likely to internalize body ideal preferences that are relevant to their in-group (i.e., thinness for Asian-American and White women; curviness for Black and Latina women). Second, following and being followed by people of one’s racial identity in-group will have ameliorative effects on young women’s body image (i.e., more body appreciation; less body dissatisfaction). Our sample included 533 U.S. women …
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