Feeling body dissatisfied after viewing thin-ideal pictures is mediated by self-activation

E. Smeets*, A.T.M. Jansen, E. Vossen, L. Ruf, A.J. Roefs

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

The present study sought to investigate the influence of self-activation on body and weight satisfaction in restrained and unrestrained eaters, after exposure to thin-ideal images. Restrained eaters (n = 39) and unrestrained eaters (n = 40) were randomly assigned to a self-activation manipulation versus a control manipulation. After the manipulation, all participants were exposed to eight thin-ideal images. Measures of state body and weight satisfaction and of social comparison tendencies were assessed throughout the experiment. Self-activated restrained eaters showed a significant decrease in body and weight satisfaction after exposure to thin-ideal images, compared to restrained eaters who were not self-activated. In unrestrained eaters, the self-activation manipulation did not have any effect on body or weight dissatisfaction. In conclusion, exposure to fashion models only had a negative influence on women's self-evaluations when two conditions were met: (1) the participant was 'self-activated' and (2) the participant classified as a restrained eater. 

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)335-340
Number of pages6
JournalBody Image
Volume7
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2010

Keywords

  • ADOLESCENT GIRLS
  • ANXIETY DISORDER
  • ATTRACTIVENESS
  • Body dissatisfaction
  • EATING BEHAVIOR
  • ESTEEM
  • EXPOSURE
  • Media exposure
  • Restrained eaters
  • SATISFACTION
  • SOCIAL-COMPARISON PROCESSES
  • Self-activation
  • Social comparison
  • TELEVISED IMAGES
  • WOMENS MOOD

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