First Advisor

Susana Beltrán-Grimm

Date of Award

Spring 6-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology and University Honors

Department

Psychology

Language

English

Subjects

Social Media, Body Image, Emotional Satisfaction, Social Comparison, Body Positivity, Self-Perception

DOI

10.15760/honors.1706

Abstract

Through a thematic analysis assessing four peer-reviewed studies, this thesis explores the relationship between social media (e.g., content, engagement factors) and how it impacts women's body image and emotional satisfaction. The studies varied in methodological approach and age demographics, but included only female participants. The research reviewed in this thesis calls attention to the harmful effects social media can have on women's health such as body dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression and disordered eating. The two main themes that emerged were appearance-based social comparison, and psychological impacts on mental health (e.g., anxiety, depression, disordered eating). Exposure to idealized images on social media platforms promote body dissatisfaction and lower self esteem, which results in emotional distress, including anxiety and higher levels of depression. Key findings suggested that younger women are more susceptible to negative effects regarding body image, but that body positive content can help reduce these effects. Although most findings focused on the harmful effects of social media, there was one study that acknowledged the importance of body positive content in encouraging body appreciation and self-acceptance. The limitations included lack of diverse participants and reliance on self-reported data. This review emphasizes the need for further inclusive research that targets how social media platforms affect women's self-perception, and how body-positive content can serve as a positive factor against these negative effects.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/43812

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