{"title":"The Effects of Thinspiration Social Media on Overvaluation of Appearance, Safety Behavior, and Appearance Concerns.","authors":"Tapan A Patel, Allison Perez, Jesse R Cougle","doi":"10.1177/21522715251371095","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Social media use has been found to be associated with appearance concerns, low mood, and increased appearance comparisons among women. One possible explanation for these findings could be the consumption of thinspiration content, media that focused on thinness and subsequent upward social comparisons. The aim of the present study was to experimentally examine the effect of thinspiration content from TikTok on state-level appearance comparison, appearance concerns, sadness, overvaluation of appearance, and urge to check/camouflage/seek reassurance about appearance. Participants (<i>N</i> = 111) were randomly presented 5-minute compilations of thinspiration videos or animal videos from TikTok and answered state-level measures following each video set. We found that, compared with the animal videos, the thinspiration videos led to greater appearance comparisons, appearance concerns, overvaluation of appearance, urge to use a safety behavior, and sadness. Overall, this study provides novel evidence supporting the role of thinspiration content viewed on TikTok on appearance concerns and related symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":10872,"journal":{"name":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/21522715251371095","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Social media use has been found to be associated with appearance concerns, low mood, and increased appearance comparisons among women. One possible explanation for these findings could be the consumption of thinspiration content, media that focused on thinness and subsequent upward social comparisons. The aim of the present study was to experimentally examine the effect of thinspiration content from TikTok on state-level appearance comparison, appearance concerns, sadness, overvaluation of appearance, and urge to check/camouflage/seek reassurance about appearance. Participants (N = 111) were randomly presented 5-minute compilations of thinspiration videos or animal videos from TikTok and answered state-level measures following each video set. We found that, compared with the animal videos, the thinspiration videos led to greater appearance comparisons, appearance concerns, overvaluation of appearance, urge to use a safety behavior, and sadness. Overall, this study provides novel evidence supporting the role of thinspiration content viewed on TikTok on appearance concerns and related symptoms.
期刊介绍:
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking is a leading peer-reviewed journal that is recognized for its authoritative research on the social, behavioral, and psychological impacts of contemporary social networking practices. The journal covers a wide range of platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, internet gaming, and e-commerce, and examines how these digital environments shape human interaction and societal norms.
For over two decades, this journal has been a pioneering voice in the exploration of social networking and virtual reality, establishing itself as an indispensable resource for professionals and academics in the field. It is particularly celebrated for its swift dissemination of findings through rapid communication articles, alongside comprehensive, in-depth studies that delve into the multifaceted effects of interactive technologies on both individual behavior and broader societal trends.
The journal's scope encompasses the full spectrum of impacts—highlighting not only the potential benefits but also the challenges that arise as a result of these technologies. By providing a platform for rigorous research and critical discussions, it fosters a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between technology and human behavior.