The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between the selection/editing of the photographic material posted on Facebook and body image and self-esteem during adolescence. In particular, we are interested in age, gender and pubertal development differences. Data were collected through a questionnaire on the selection/editing of the 50 photos published on the social network (Zorzi, 2011), the Pubertal Developmental Scale (Petersen & Crockett, 1984), the Body Esteem Scale (Mendelson, Mendelson, & White, 2001) and the Body Image Satisfaction questionnaire (von Wright, 1989). The tools were administered to 588 subjects (292 females and 296 males) aged between 12 and 19 from secondary schools in Italy. As hypothesized, age, gender and pubertal development are related to different levels of body esteem and photographic selection/editing; in particular, in the female group the selection/editing of photographic images is inversely related to body esteem, age, high development and hair growth. Furthermore, the discomfort emerging from seeing a physical defect on the social-network is inversely related to body esteem. These findings show that the selection/editing of the photographic material on Facebook aims to show a better body image to adolescents with lower body esteem. Important implications for the debate about the role of social networks in identity construction processes are discussed.
Facebook use and body image in Italian adolescents
Majorano, Marinella;
2012-01-01
Abstract
The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between the selection/editing of the photographic material posted on Facebook and body image and self-esteem during adolescence. In particular, we are interested in age, gender and pubertal development differences. Data were collected through a questionnaire on the selection/editing of the 50 photos published on the social network (Zorzi, 2011), the Pubertal Developmental Scale (Petersen & Crockett, 1984), the Body Esteem Scale (Mendelson, Mendelson, & White, 2001) and the Body Image Satisfaction questionnaire (von Wright, 1989). The tools were administered to 588 subjects (292 females and 296 males) aged between 12 and 19 from secondary schools in Italy. As hypothesized, age, gender and pubertal development are related to different levels of body esteem and photographic selection/editing; in particular, in the female group the selection/editing of photographic images is inversely related to body esteem, age, high development and hair growth. Furthermore, the discomfort emerging from seeing a physical defect on the social-network is inversely related to body esteem. These findings show that the selection/editing of the photographic material on Facebook aims to show a better body image to adolescents with lower body esteem. Important implications for the debate about the role of social networks in identity construction processes are discussed.
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