"Selfie" harm: Effects on mood and body image in young women

Body Image
Jennifer S MillsMarika Tiggemann

Abstract

"Selfies" (self-taken photos) are a common self-presentation strategy on social media. This study experimentally tested whether taking and posting selfies, with and without photo-retouching, elicits changes to mood and body image among young women. Female undergraduate students (N = 110) were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: taking and uploading either an untouched selfie, taking and posting a preferred and retouched selfie to social media, or a control group. State mood and body image were measured pre- and post-manipulation. As predicted, there was a main effect of experimental condition on changes to mood and feelings of physical attractiveness. Women who took and posted selfies to social media reported feeling more anxious, less confident, and less physically attractive afterwards compared to those in the control group. Harmful effects of selfies were found even when participants could retake and retouch their selfies. This is the first experimental study showing that taking and posting selfies on social media causes adverse psychological effects for women.

Citations

May 30, 2019·Journal of Health Psychology·Corey H BaschCharles E Basch
Apr 26, 2020·Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology·Julianna MartelAndrea Murina
Jun 2, 2020·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·Rachel F RodgersSebastien Guillaume
Jun 7, 2020·Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine·Keon M ParsaMichael J Reilly
May 30, 2020·Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD·Sarah E DomoffChong Man Chow
Apr 4, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Jens Christoffer SkogenAnn Kristin Knudsen
Jul 3, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Kalai HungJie Sui
Jan 16, 2022·Body Image·Hannah K JarmanMatthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz

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