title: Thinking meta-theoretically about the role of internalization in the development of body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors.
abstract: Internalization of societal standards of physical attractiveness (i.e., internalization of the thin ideal for women and internalization of the mesomorphic ideal for men) is a widely studied and robust risk factor for body dissatisfaction and maladaptive body change behaviors. Substantial empirical research supports internalization as both a mediator and a moderator of the relation between societal influences and body dissatisfaction. In this paper, a primer on mediation and moderation is followed by a review of literature and discussion of the extent to which internalization can theoretically fulfill the roles of both mediation and moderation. The literature review revealed a stark contrast in research design (experimental versus non-experimental design) when alternate conceptualizations of internalization are adopted. A meta-theoretical, moderated mediation model is presented. This model integrates previous research and can inform future empirical and clinical endeavors.
authors.affiliation: The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, United States. Electronic address: bkarazsia@wooster.edu.
authors.forename: Bryan T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Karazsia
authors.forename: Manfred H M
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: van Dulmen
authors.forename: Kendal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Janis H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Crowther
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Body image; Internalization of media ideals; Mediation; Moderation; Theory