PreprintCited by 331Eating Disorders and BehaviorsImpact of Technology on AdolescentsBody Image and Dysmorphia Studies

The Perfect Storm: A Developmental–Sociocultural Framework for the Role of Social Media in Adolescent Girls’ Body Image Concerns and Mental Health

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Choukas-Bradley, Sophia, Roberts, Savannah Rose, Maheux, Anne J., Nesi, Jacqueline·2021·Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review

Abstract

In this theoretical review paper, we provide a developmental–sociocultural framework for the role of social media (SM) in contributing to adolescent girls’ body image concerns, and in turn, depressive symptoms and disordered eating. We propose that the features of SM (e.g., idealized images of peers, quantifiable feedback) intersect with adolescent developmental factors (e.g., salience of peer relationships) and sociocultural gender socialization processes (e.g., societal over-emphasis on girls’ and women’s physical appearance) to create the “perfect storm” for exacerbating girls’ body image concerns. We argue that, ultimately, body image concerns may be a key mechanism underlying associations between adolescent girls’ SM use and mental health. In the context of proposing this framework, we provide empirical evidence for how SM may increase adolescent girls’ body image concerns through heightening their focus on: (1) other people’s physical appearance (e.g., through exposure to idealized images of peers, celebrities, and SM influencers; quantifiable indicators of approval); and (2) their own appearance (e.g., through appearance-related SM consciousness; exposure to one’s own image; encouraging over-valuing of appearance; and peer approval of photos/videos). Our framework highlights new avenues for future research on adolescent girls’ SM use and mental health, which recognize the central role of body image.

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  1. Maughan, B., Collishaw, S., & Stringaris, A. (2013). Depression in childhood and adolescence. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 22(1), 35-40. https:// doi. org/ 10. 1080/ 10478 40X. 2020. 18202 14 · DOI · Paper page
  2. In M. Mehta & R. Sagar (Eds.), A practical approach to cogni- tive behaviour therapy for adolescents (pp. 21-42). Springer Science + Business Media.
  3. Tech Transparency Project (2021). 'Thinstagram': Instagram's algo- rithm fuels eating disorder epidemic. Retrieved from https:// www. techt ransp arenc yproj ect. org/ artic les/ thins tagram-insta grams-algor ithm-fuels-eating-disor der-epide mic "The Facebook Files" (2021). The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on April 6, 2022 from https:// www. wsj. com/ artic les/ the-faceb ook-files-11631 713039

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Authors
Choukas-Bradley, S., Roberts, S. R., Maheux, A. J., & Nesi, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Delaware (US)
  • Brown University (US)
Venue
Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
Published
2021-03-18
Volume
25
Issue
4
Pages
681-701
ISSN
1096-4037 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4285588124
Cited by
331
References
202
Citations by year
2026: 85 · 2025: 101 · 2024: 96 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 15
FWCI
10.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (1940700)
  • National Institutes of Health (5k23mh122669-05)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (K23 MH122669)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
Keywords
social media, adolescent girls, body image concern, depressive symptoms, disordered eating, gender socialization, peer influence, idealized images, peer approval, mental health, sociocultural factors
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Body Image, Female, Humans, Mental Health, Peer Group, Self Concept, Social Media

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