Effects of Self-Discrepancy and Self-Schema on Young Women’s Body Image and Self-Esteem after Media Image Exposure
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine how self‐discrepancy and self‐schema influence the effects of exposure to thin versus nonidealized model images on young women's body dissatisfaction, body anxiety, and self‐esteem as an antecedent and moderator. Female college students at a Midwestern university (n = 380) responded to a web‐based survey with stimuli that consisted of thin, nonidealized, and no model images in fashion ads. Results indicated appearance self‐discrepancy and self‐evaluative schema in appearance augmented body dissatisfaction and body anxiety, and decreased self‐esteem, whereas motivational schema in appearance reduced body anxiety and improved self‐esteem. There were no differences in body dissatisfaction, body anxiety, and self‐esteem from these three model stimuli. However, participants with higher appearance self‐discrepancy had greater body dissatisfaction and body anxiety when exposed to thin‐idealized model images rather than nonidealized model images. Self‐evaluative and motivational schema in appearance did not play a moderating role on the effects of exposure to thin versus nonidealized model images on body dissatisfaction, body anxiety, and self‐esteem. Appearance self‐discrepancy provides better insights for the effects of media on body image and self‐esteem than appearance self‐schema as a moderator.
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The internalization of appearance ideals, promoted through likes, comments, and shares, serves as quantifiable measures of social approval and personal value, reinforcing the significance of appearance in self-evaluation.
“The internalization of appearance ideals, promoted through likes, comments, and shares, serves as quantifiable measures of social approval and personal value, reinforcing the significance of appearance in self-evaluation processes.”
The interactive nature of social media encourages users to seek validation for their physical appearance, fostering dopamine-driven feedback loops that underscore appearance as a critical source of self-esteem.
“The interactive nature of social media not only permits but also encourages users to seek validation for their physical appearance, fostering dopamine-driven feedback loops that underscore appearance as a critical source of self-esteem [29].”
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Merino, M., Tornero-Aguilera, J. F., Rubio-Zarapuz, A., Villanueva-Tobaldo, C. V., Martín-Rodríguez, A., & Clemente-Suárez, V. J. (2024) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare12141396 · Cited by 349 · see citing works
“The interactive nature of social media not only permits but also encourages users to seek validation for their physical appearance, fostering dopamine-driven feedback loops that underscore appearance as a critical source of self-esteem [29].”
Background
- Authors
- Yu, U., & Jung, J.
- Affiliations
- Illinois State University (US)
- University of Delaware (US)
- Corresponding author
- Yu, Ui‐Jeen
- Venue
- Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2018-12
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 142-160
- ISSN
- 1077-727X (ISSN-L)
- 1552-3934
- OpenAlex
- W2902533665
- Cited by
- 31
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 2
- FWCI
- 2.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Marketing › Consumer Perception and Purchasing Behavior
- Keywords
- self-discrepancy, self-schemas, body image, self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, body image anxiety, fashion advertising, media exposure, young women, university students
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