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Cited by 17Eating Disorders and BehaviorsGender, Feminism, and MediaImpact of Technology on Adolescents

Primping, performing, and policing: Social media use and self-sexualization among U.S. White, Black, and Asian-American adolescent girls

Open access
Ward, L. Monique, Jerald, Morgan C., Grower, Petal, Daniels, Elizabeth A., Rowley, Stephanie·2023·Body Image
DOI 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.06.015
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Abstract

Objectification theorists argue that routine sexual objectification, experienced interpersonally and via the media, encourages women and adolescent girls to value their external appearance and sexiness above other bodily experiences and competencies. Commonly, tests of this theory have linked exposure to sexualizing media content (i.e., TV, music videos, social media) to self-objectification and subsequently to consequences such as disordered eating among predominantly White samples. Do these analyses extend to U.S. girls of color and to broader well-being consequences? Using structural equation modeling, we tested theorized connections among 884 adolescent girls aged 13-18, including 391 White girls, 248 Black girls, and 245 Asian American girls. Participants completed surveys assessing their use of several social media platforms, social media engagement, self-sexualization, mental health symptoms, self-esteem, and body shame. We also examined age, racial identity, and racial composition of peer group as moderators. The model worked as expected for the full sample, with social media use and engagement predicting greater self-sexualization, which in turn was associated with diminished well-being. However, the model fit was worse for the White girls than for girls of color, and some constructs operated differently. Implications for future research with girls and possible media interventions are discussed.

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  1. Muthén, L.K., & Muthén, B.O. (1998–2015). Mplus user’s guide (7th ed.). Muthén & Muthén.
  2. Rosenberg, 1965, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Measures Package, 61, 18

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Authors
Ward, L. M., Jerald, M. C., Grower, P., Daniels, E. A., & Rowley, S.
Affiliations
  • University of Michigan (US)
  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs (US)
  • University of Virginia (US)
Corresponding author
Ward, L. Monique
ORCID
Venue
Body Image
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-09
Volume
46
Pages
324-335
ISSN
1740-1445 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.06.015
OpenAlex
W4384103608
Semantic Scholar
4ab0d190dac496771d5246ad2001a7e3743f42dc
Cited by
17
References
94
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1
FWCI
4.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Body Image (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UWE Research Repository (UWE Bristol) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender, Feminism, and Media
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Keywords
self-sexualization, social media use, sexual objectification, adolescent girls, girls of color, racial identity, body shame, self-esteem, psychiatric symptoms, disordered eating, appearance concerns, media exposure
MeSH terms
White, Adolescent, Asian, Black or African American, Body Image, Female, Humans, Self Concept, Sexuality, Social Media

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