The relationship between social media use, thin-ideal internalization, and college women’s use of electronic cigarettes for weight control: A mediation analysis

IF 4.1 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-14 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108555

Kyra V. Newcombe , Yu Lu , Taylor Zingg , Lois Coleman , Jinhee Seo , Glenn Leshner , Marshall K. Cheney

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

Some college women report using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) for weight control. Social media frequently promotes e-cigarettes for weight management and reinforces unrealistic body ideals, which may foster body dissatisfaction and unhealthy weight control behaviors. Given college women’s high rates of social media and e-cigarette use, this study examined the relationship between college women’s social media use, thin-ideal internalization, and e-cigarette use for weight control.

Methods

College women (N = 343, M_age = 20.88) who used e-cigarettes for weight control reasons participated in an online survey that measured their social media use, levels of thin-ideal internalization, and e-cigarette use behaviors. Mediation analysis was performed to test whether thin-ideal internalization mediated the relationship between social media use and e-cigarette use for weight control.

Results

Social media use positively predicted e-cigarette use for weight control purposes (B = 0.12, p < 0.001). Thin-ideal internalization fully mediated this relationship (indirect effect: B = 0.06, 95 % CI [.03, 0.10]) as the direct effect became non-significant when accounting for the mediator (direct effect: B = 0.06, p = 0.10). Greater social media use significantly increased thin-ideal internalization (B = 1.01, p < 0.001), which subsequently predicted greater e-cigarette use for weight control purposes (B = 0.06, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Findings highlight that greater social media exposure among college women strengthens thin-ideal internalization, which drives e-cigarette use for weight control purposes. These findings signal the importance of regulating e-cigarette content on social media, as well as prevention efforts that address social media’s thin-ideal content and promote body positivity.

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社交媒体使用、瘦型理想内化和大学女生使用电子烟控制体重之间的关系：一个中介分析

一些大学女生报告说，她们用电子烟来控制体重。社交媒体经常宣传电子烟用于体重管理，并强化不切实际的身体理想，这可能会助长对身体的不满和不健康的体重控制行为。鉴于大学女生使用社交媒体和电子烟的比例很高，本研究调查了大学女生使用社交媒体、瘦型理想内化和使用电子烟控制体重之间的关系。方法使用电子烟控制体重的大学女性（N = 343, Mage = 20.88）参加了一项在线调查，测量了她们的社交媒体使用情况、瘦型理想内化水平和电子烟使用行为。进行中介分析以检验瘦理想内化是否介导了社交媒体使用与电子烟使用体重控制之间的关系。社交媒体使用正预测电子烟用于控制体重（B = 0.12, p < 0.001）。薄理想内化完全介导了这种关系（间接效应：B = 0.06, 95% CI）。03, 0.10])，当考虑中介因素时，直接效应变得不显著（直接效应：B = 0.06, p = 0.10）。更多的社交媒体使用显著增加了瘦理想的内在化（B = 1.01, p < 0.001），这随后预示着更多的电子烟用于控制体重（B = 0.06, p < 0.001）。研究结果强调，大学女性更多的社交媒体曝光加强了苗条理想的内化，从而推动了电子烟的使用，以控制体重。这些发现表明了规范社交媒体上电子烟内容的重要性，以及解决社交媒体上的瘦身理想内容和促进身体积极性的预防工作。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.