'She should not be a model' : The effect of exposure to plus-size models on body dissatisfaction, mood, and Facebook commenting behaviour

Journal article


Talbot, Daniel, Mansfield, Hannah, Hayes, Samantha and Smith, Evelyn. (2021). 'She should not be a model' : The effect of exposure to plus-size models on body dissatisfaction, mood, and Facebook commenting behaviour. Behaviour Change. 38(3), pp. 135-147. https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2021.7
AuthorsTalbot, Daniel, Mansfield, Hannah, Hayes, Samantha and Smith, Evelyn
Abstract

Objectives: The present study investigated the exposure effect of plus-size models on body dissatisfaction and mood, and the nature of participants’ commenting behaviour towards images of plus-size models. Method: The study was comprised of 92 female university students who were exposed to Facebook photos of plus-size models. Participants were randomly allocated to having the exposed photo paired with positive, negative, or neutral comments, and participants were asked to leave an anonymous comment on each picture. Results: Results showed that participants had less body dissatisfaction and better mood after exposure to plus-size models regardless of the comment condition. Additionally, comment condition significantly influenced the type of comments participants contributed — in photos paired with negative comments, participants were significantly more likely to leave negative comments themselves, with 40% of participants leaving negative comments compared with 4% in the positive condition, and 12% in the neutral condition. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the negative comments of plus-size models can encourage bystanders to contribute negative comments themselves; reinforcing the need to develop better protocols to oppose cyberbullying and encourage an online environment of positivity.

Keywordsbody image; body dissatisfaction; social media; cyberbullying; exposure; mood
Year2021
JournalBehaviour Change
Journal citation38 (3), pp. 135-147
PublisherCambridge University Press
ISSN0813-4839
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2021.7
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85104835478
Page range135-147
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online23 Apr 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted30 Mar 2021
Deposited20 May 2025
Additional information

© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy.

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