Unveiling the relationship between social media and self-objectification: A three-level meta-analysis

Abstract

Numerous academic researchers have shown how social media influences self-objectification and related body image issues. This study aims to perform a three-level meta-analysis to examine the empirical link between social media use and self-objectification by quantitatively synthesizing eligible studies published up to April 2024. A total of 68 papers yielding 218 effect sizes were identified. The findings showed a positive correlation between social media and self-objectification (r = 0.207, 95 % CI [0.179, 0.234], p < 0.001). Additionally, subgroup analysis revealed that the correlation was influenced by age and the type of social media content. However, certain study characteristics (i.e., study design, country grouping, gender, publication years, social media platforms, and measurement of self-objectification) did not explain the heterogeneity observed across individual studies. Using a three-level meta-analysis, this research synthesizes results from various studies, providing a more detailed view of the scope and variability of social media’s impact across different demographic groups and settings. This method strengthens the reliability and depth of current findings, revealing important insights into how social media contributes to self-objectification. The outcomes can guide the creation of interventions, media literacy programs, and policies designed to mitigate the detrimental effect of social media on self-perception and body image.