TikTok use and body dissatisfaction: Examining direct, indirect, and moderated relations

In this study, we examined potential direct, indirect, and moderated effects in the relations between the use of TikTok, a video-based appearance-related social networking site, and body dissatisfaction among a sample of 778 United States’ young adult college women. Results showed that TikTok use wa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Body image 2022-12, Vol.43, p.205-216
Main Authors: Bissonette Mink, Danielle, Szymanski, Dawn M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Body dissatisfaction
Body positivity
Media literacy
Social media
Social networking
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Summary:In this study, we examined potential direct, indirect, and moderated effects in the relations between the use of TikTok, a video-based appearance-related social networking site, and body dissatisfaction among a sample of 778 United States’ young adult college women. Results showed that TikTok use was indirectly related to body dissatisfaction through more upward appearance comparison and more body surveillance acting in serial. Contrary to our hypotheses, we also found that exposure to body acceptance and critique of appearance expectations, a facet of exposure to body positive media, and commercial media literacy exacerbated the direct relation between TikTok use and upward appearance comparison and the indirect relations between TikTok use and body dissatisfaction through upward appearance comparison and upward appearance comparison and body surveillance in serial. That is, the relations were significant for those at high and average levels of both acceptance and critique exposure and commercial media literacy, but not for those with low levels. Finally, we found that TikTok use was only associated with upward appearance comparison at average and low levels of peer social media literacy but not high levels. Our findings suggest that regular and consistent use of TikTok may be harmful to women’s body image, and women with higher levels of acceptance and critique exposure and commercial media literacy may be the most vulnerable to these negative effects. •TikTok use is positively related to body dissatisfaction.•Upward appearance comparison and body surveillance in serial mediate this link.•Body acceptance exposure and commercial media literacy exacerbates some of these links.•The TikTok use → appearance comparison link is significant at lower peer media literacy.
ISSN:1740-1445
1873-6807
DOI:10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.09.006