Abstract
Research suggests that appearance focused social comparisons are associated with body image disturbances. This study utilized
ecological momentary assessment to examine associations between appearance focused social comparisons to media images and
peers and body image disturbance and affect. Appearance focused cognitive distortions were examined as a moderator. Ninety-three
undergraduate women from a large public Midwestern university in the United States completed questionnaires assessing the
nature, frequency, and consequences of appearance focused social comparisons. Compared to no comparison, media comparisons
were associated with greater body checking, negative affect, and guilt; peer comparisons were associated with greater body
checking and guilt. Cognitive distortions moderated the relationship between appearance focused social comparisons and body
checking. Specifically, the relationship between peer comparisons and body checking was strengthened at higher levels of appearance
focused cognitive distortions. When only upward comparisons were considered, the relationships between both media and peer
comparisons and body checking were strengthened at higher levels of appearance focused cognitive distortions. These results
have implications for the treatment of body dissatisfaction.
ecological momentary assessment to examine associations between appearance focused social comparisons to media images and
peers and body image disturbance and affect. Appearance focused cognitive distortions were examined as a moderator. Ninety-three
undergraduate women from a large public Midwestern university in the United States completed questionnaires assessing the
nature, frequency, and consequences of appearance focused social comparisons. Compared to no comparison, media comparisons
were associated with greater body checking, negative affect, and guilt; peer comparisons were associated with greater body
checking and guilt. Cognitive distortions moderated the relationship between appearance focused social comparisons and body
checking. Specifically, the relationship between peer comparisons and body checking was strengthened at higher levels of appearance
focused cognitive distortions. When only upward comparisons were considered, the relationships between both media and peer
comparisons and body checking were strengthened at higher levels of appearance focused cognitive distortions. These results
have implications for the treatment of body dissatisfaction.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s11199-011-9961-0
- Authors
- Danielle R. Ridolfi, Department of Psychology, Kent State University, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242, USA
- Taryn A. Myers, Department of Psychology, Kent State University, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242, USA
- Janis H. Crowther, Department of Psychology, Kent State University, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242, USA
- Jeffery A. Ciesla, Department of Psychology, Kent State University, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242, USA
- Journal Sex Roles
- Online ISSN 1573-2762
- Print ISSN 0360-0025