TY - JOUR
T1 - Promoting body positivity through stories
T2 - How protagonist body size and esteem influence readers’ self-concepts
AU - Vendemia, Megan A.
AU - Robinson, Melissa J.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors would like to acknowledge Robert G. Magee (Ph.D. University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill) for his contributions to the original versions of the narrative stimuli and Kyla N. Brathwaite (M.A. The Ohio State University) for her helpful feedback on this project. The lead author would also like to extend a special thanks to her undergraduate research assistants in the School of Communication at Chapman University: Rohan Chhabra, Jenisty Colón, Isabelle Kunzmann, Ellie Su, and Steele Viverette.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2022/9
Y1 - 2022/9
N2 - Through two experiments (N = 497), we documented how distinct portrayals of women in stories can impact readers’ engagement in social comparisons and influence important aspects of their self-concepts. Specifically, this research investigated the effects of character body size (thin vs. large), body esteem (low vs. high), and story ending valence (sad vs. happy) with two distinct storylines. Results indicated that high (vs. low) body esteem characters are not only rated more aspirational, but also led readers with greater self-discrepancy to report lower state body image, suggesting upward social comparison processes are at play. Further, results indicated that reading about characters with large (vs. thin) bodies can positively affect readers’ body image; however, this positive effect may be explained by downward social comparison. Findings highlight the complexities of body appearance and confidence. Strategies for effectively promoting body positivity via text-based interventions are discussed.
AB - Through two experiments (N = 497), we documented how distinct portrayals of women in stories can impact readers’ engagement in social comparisons and influence important aspects of their self-concepts. Specifically, this research investigated the effects of character body size (thin vs. large), body esteem (low vs. high), and story ending valence (sad vs. happy) with two distinct storylines. Results indicated that high (vs. low) body esteem characters are not only rated more aspirational, but also led readers with greater self-discrepancy to report lower state body image, suggesting upward social comparison processes are at play. Further, results indicated that reading about characters with large (vs. thin) bodies can positively affect readers’ body image; however, this positive effect may be explained by downward social comparison. Findings highlight the complexities of body appearance and confidence. Strategies for effectively promoting body positivity via text-based interventions are discussed.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.07.005
DO - 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.07.005
M3 - Article
C2 - 35908298
AN - SCOPUS:85135041294
SN - 1740-1445
VL - 42
SP - 315
EP - 326
JO - Body Image
JF - Body Image
ER -