The effects of engaging in digital photo modifications and receiving favorable comments on women's selfies shared on social media. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vendemia, Megan A.; DeAndrea, David C.
• Is Part Of: Body image. Volume 37(2021)
• Page Start: 74
• Page End: 83
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Selfie -- Social media -- Photo editing -- Appearance commentary -- Self-objectification -- Instagram; Body image -- Periodicals; Body image -- Research -- Periodicals; Body Image -- Periodicals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.01.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-1445

Abstract

Highlights: Women who share selfies on social media can experience negative consequences. Modifying selfies led to less appearance satisfaction and interest in cosmetic surgery. Receiving appearance comments on selfies heightened self-objectification. Self-objectification increased likelihood of sharing selfies in the future. Abstract: The present study explores how the construction and distribution of selfies might interact with features of newer media to affect women who share selfies on social media. In particular, this study focuses on how specific types of photo modification and the nature of favorable audience feedback received on one's images might exert influence on women's state self-objectification and body image concerns. A 3 × 2 between-subjects lab experiment was conducted to explore how the type of photo modification (appearance modifications, nonappearance modifications, or no modifications [control]) and nature of positive feedback (appearance comments vs. nonappearance comments) affect state self-objectification, state appearance satisfaction, pro-cosmetic surgery attitudes, and willingness to distribute selfies on social media in the future. Results indicate that modifying selfies leads to less appearance satisfaction and lower pro-cosmetic surgery attitudes. Receiving appearance comments on selfies heightens state self-objectification, regardless of the type of photo modification. In addition, the more women self-objectified, the more inclined they were to share similarly objectifying selfies on social media in the future. The findings of this work provide a more comprehensive understanding of how women are impacted by the images they share online.