The Relationship Between Body Image Concerns, Eating Disorders and Internet Use, Part II: An Integrated Theoretical Model
Adolescent Res Rev (2016) 1:121–137
DOI 10.1007/s40894-015-0017-5
QUALITATIVE REVIEW
The Relationship Between Body Image Concerns, Eating
Disorders and Internet Use, Part II: An Integrated
Theoretical Model
Rachel F. Rodgers1,2
Received: 19 June 2015 / Accepted: 29 September 2015 / Published online: 7 October 2015
Springer International Publishing 2015
Abstract The last decade has seen a huge rise in Internet
use, including social media, particularly among youth, and
preliminary evidence of a relationship between Internet use
and increased body image concerns and eating pathology
has emerged. However, to date, considerations of theoretical perspectives that might guide this direction of research
are lacking. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to
provide an analysis of the different theoretical contexts in
which Internet use may be studied, and propose an integrative framework for research among adolescents. It
reviews five important theoretical models of the development of body image concerns and eating pathology and
discusses their usefulness as frameworks within which to
explore the relationships between Internet and social media
use and body image concerns and eating pathology.
Specifically, it critically evaluates sociocultural theory,
feminist and self-objectification theory, impression management theory, social identity theory, and gratification
theory. Finally, drawing on these five theories, it presents
an integrated model and proposes a framework within
which to ground research focusing on the relationships
between Internet and social media use, and body image
concerns and eating pathology. It ends with suggestions for
future research among adolescents within the proposed
framework.
& Rachel F. Rodgers
1
Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University,
404 International Village, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston,
MA 02115, USA
2
Laboratoire de Stress Traumatique, Université Paul Sabatier,
Toulouse, France
Keywords Internet Social media Body image Eating
pathology Theory
Introduction
In recent years, Internet usage has increased exponentially, with 93 % of teenagers now possessing Internet
access at home (Madden et al. 2013). Youth are disproportionately high Internet and social media users, with up
to 89 % of 18–29 year olds using a social network site
(Brenner and Smith 2013). Furthermore, Internet access is
virtually unlimited through mobile phones and other
mobile devices and nearly 50 % of teenagers own a
smartphone in the U.S. (Madden et al. 2013). Developmentally, this is very relevant in that many of the interpersonal processes that are important for social-emotional
development may now be transitioning to the online
environment, which could result in poorer psychosocial
wellbeing (Pea et al. 2012). Body image concerns and
eating pathology also predominantly appear during adolescence, and have been shown to develop within a
sociocultural context (Levine and Murnen 2009; Von
Soest and Wichstrøm 2009). Together, these factors suggest a putative association between Internet use and body
image and eating concerns.
Consistent with this, an increasing body of research has
documented the relationship between Internet exposure and
use, and body image concerns and eating pathology (e.g.
Brown and Bobkowski 2011; de Vries et al. 2015; Rodgers
et al. 2013; Tao and Liu 2009; Tiggemann and Miller 2010;
Tiggemann and Slater 2013). However, to date, considerations of theoretical perspectives that might guide this
direction of research are lacking. This is an important
omission, as the Internet presents several characteristics
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that depart from traditional media and may render current
frameworks insufficient, including its interactive nature,
and the combination of being highly visual yet allowing
immense control over self-presentation. These characteristics limit the usefulness of existing theories, as they
intensify the interpersonal—and thus personal nature of the
Internet and social media, and raise questions regarding the
interplay between identity and self-presentation in ways
which traditional theories, developed around a uni-directional model of media communication, are ill-equipped to
address. Thus, the adaptation of existing theoretical models
and the development of frameworks that are suited to the
investigation of the effects of Internet use is a critical need.
The objective of the present study was, therefore, to
provide an analysis of the different theoretical contexts in
which Internet use may be viewed, and propose an integrative framework. The aim was to provide a structure
within which to build future research on the relationship
between Internet use and body image and eating concerns
among adolescents, and to call for more work in this area.
Sociocultural Theory
Sociocultural theory has emerged as one of the primary
frameworks within which body image and eating concerns
has been conceptualized. This theory posits that social
agents such as the media, peers, and parents convey strong
messages regarding the importance of appearance, and
pressure to conform to unrealistic body ideals (Brown and
Bobkowski 2011; Thompson et al. 1999; Webb and Zimmer-Gembeck 2014). These messages are then internalized
by individuals who adopt societal standards of beauty and
slenderness as their own. The discrepancy perceived
between the ideal and one’s own body often results in body
dissatisfaction followed by disordered eating behaviors
aiming to bring one’s body closer to the ideal (Thompson
et al. 1999). Physical appearance comparison constitutes a
second mechanism leading to the development and maintenance of body image and eating pathology, as in many
instances comparisons are not favorable, especially when
media images are chosen as comparison targets (Levine
and Murnen 2009). The sociocultural theory of body image
and eating concerns’ focus on media, peers, and parents as
socializing agents has made it developmentally very relevant to adolescents and youth (Borzekowski and Bayer
2005; Clay et al. 2005; Rodgers et al. 2009; Webb and
Zimmer-Gembeck 2014).
The media, in particular, have been shown to present a
relentless stream of images of ideal bodies, almost without
exception carefully digitally modified to create an
unattainable image of physical perfection (Hunter 2011).
Furthermore the weight-loss industry, representing over
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Adolescent Res Rev (2016) 1:121–137
$50 billion in North America, promotes products promising
an immediate solution to perceived imperfections and
physical transformations through little or no effort
(Freedhoff and Sharma 2009). A wealth of correlational,
prospective and experimental studies has provided support
for the role of media exposure in the development of body
image dissatisfaction and eating pathology among adolescents and suggested that media exposure might be a causal
risk factor for these concerns (Levine and Murnen 2009).
Peers represent another important source of socio (...truncated)
