واسطه های رابطه بین سواد رسانه ای و نارضایتی از بدن در دختران نوجوان : پیامدها برای پیشگیری

This study examined in young adolescent girls the fit of a theoretical model of the contribution of media literacy to body dissatisfaction via the mediating influences of internalisation of media ideals and appearance comparisons. Female Grade 7 students (N = 469) completed self-report assessments of media literacy, internalisation, appearance comparisons, body dissatisfaction, and media exposure. Strong, significant inverse associations between media literacy and body dissatisfaction, internalisation, and appearance comparisons were observed. Path analysis revealed that a slightly modified revision of the model provided a good fit to the data. Specifically, body dissatisfaction was influenced directly by appearance comparisons, internalisation, and body mass index, and indirectly by media literacy and media exposure. Indirect pathways were mediated by appearance comparisons and internalisation. Thus, a relationship between media literacy and eating disorder risk factors was observed. Findings may explain positive outcomes of media literacy interventions in eating disorder prevention.

Body dissatisfaction affects a high proportion of adolescent girls and has a range of psychological and physical health implications. More than 75% of girls want to be thinner (Ricciardelli & McCabe, 2001) and over 35% report undue influence of body image on self-esteem (Ackard, Fulkerson, & Neumark-Sztainer, 2007). Body dissatisfaction is a prospective risk factor for eating disorders (Stice, Marti, & Durant, 2011), disordered eating (Ferreiro, Seoane, & Senra, 2011), overweight (van den Berg & Neumark-Sztainer, 2007), engagement in unhealthy weight control behaviours (Neumark-Sztainer, Paxton, Hannan, Haines, & Story, 2006), and low self-esteem and depressive symptoms (Paxton, Neumark-Sztainer, Hannan, & Eisenberg, 2006).