Self-enhancing effects of exposure to thin-body images.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the effect of thin-body media images on mood, self-esteem, and self-image ratings of restrained and unrestrained eaters. A secondary purpose was to examine whether these effects were influenced by exposure duration.


METHODS
Under the guise of a perception study, participants were exposed to thin-body or control advertisements (e.g., perfume bottles) for either 7 or 150 ms and then completed a questionnaire packet.


RESULTS
Restrained eaters reported more favorable self-image and social self-esteem (but not appearance self-esteem) scores after exposure to thin-body images than after exposure to control advertisements. The self-image and social self-esteem scores of unrestrained eaters were unaffected by advertisement type, but their appearance self-esteem scores were lower after exposure to thin-body advertisements. No differences were found for mood ratings and total self-esteem.


CONCLUSIONS
We discuss restraint status as a moderator of the effects of thin-body images on women's body image.
Joshi
Ramona
R
Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Herman
C Peter
CP
Polivy
Janet
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012649:Self Concept; D012928:Social Desirability; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires