The effects of exposure to social media images of thin and average size women on body satisfaction among young women: Emotion regulation and self-efficacy as modulating factors

Although appearance comparison has emerged as an important mechanism underlying the detrimental effects of exposure to idealized social media images on body image among young women, little is known regarding the role of the direction of these comparisons. In addition, to date, little attention has been paid to the role of self-regulation processes in these effects. A sample of 260 female students (M_age = 19.6) from a University in Paris completed an online survey where they were randomly assigned to view thin-ideal or average size social media images of women. Participants reported on state body satisfaction before and after exposure, as well as state appearance comparison and direction of appearance comparison, and trait emotion regulation difficulties and self-efficacy. Findings revealed no main effect of condition. However, among participants who engaged in upwards appearance comparison the thin-ideal condition was associated with greater decreases in body satisfaction. In addition, three-way interactions revealed that emotional regulation difficulties and self-efficacy both further moderated these effects. These findings suggest that self-regulation processes may be important to account for in the effects of exposure to social media images on body satisfaction among young women.