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Regular Article
Thin ideals in music television: A source of social comparison and body dissatisfaction
Article first published online: 30 DEC 2003
DOI: 10.1002/eat.10214
Copyright © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
1098-108X/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=b22e50985a9829d168c9b4faec7c2e4ef565d599 "International Journal of Eating Disorders")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Tiggemann, M. and Slater, A. (2004), Thin ideals in music television: A source of social comparison and body dissatisfaction. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 35: 48–58. doi: 10.1002/eat.10214
Publication History
- Issue published online: 30 DEC 2003
- Article first published online: 30 DEC 2003
- Manuscript Accepted: 26 JAN 2003
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- thin ideals;
- music television;
- social comparison;
- body dissatisfaction
Abstract
Objective
The study investigated the impact of thin idealized images of women as presented in music television, a popular form of entertainment for young people.
Methods
A sample of 84 women viewed a videotape containing either appearance music videos (which emphasized appearance and featured thin and attractive women) or nonappearance music videos. The instructional set was also manipulated to encourage or discourage social comparison.
Results
Viewing the appearance music videos featuring thin women led to increased social comparison and body dissatisfaction. Regression analyses showed that the effect of video condition on body dissatisfaction was mediated by the level of comparison processing.
Discussion
The study demonstrated that the content of television programming can have negative consequences for women's body image. In addition, it offered social comparison processing as both a theoretic mechanism and a practical target for intervention. © 2003 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 35: 48–58, 2004.