Annotated Bibliography: The Effects of Social Media on Eating Disorders in Adolescent and Young Females Kayla Garceron Department of Psychology, Azusa Pacific University WRIT 260: Writing in the Sub-Discipline of Psychology Dr. Scott Bledsoe October 27, 2022 Burnette, C. B., Kwitowski, M. A., & Mazzeo, S. E. (2017). 'I don’t need people to tell me I’m pretty on social media:’ a qualitative study of social media and body image in early adolescent girls. Body Image, 23, 114–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.09.001 The authors wanted to explore the relationship between mass media exposure and body dissatisfaction. Using data from 7th-8th grade girls, the authors assessed how social media influenced them, which platform they used often, and whether they were concerned about their appearance or not. Results indicated that students had mixed feelings about social media whether it made them insecure or realize that they are beautiful in their own way. This article showcased that the students’ perspective of social media broadens the aspect that social media can be used to boost a young girl’s confidence instead of feeling ashamed of their body. Chung, A., Vieira, D., Donley, T., Tan, N., Jean-Louis, G., Gouley, K. K., & Seixas, A. (2021). Adolescent peer influence on eating behaviors via social media: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(6). https://doi.org/10.2196/19697 The authors discussed how social media has a big influence on adolescents in today’s generation. A comprehensive search was conducted to see how adolescents communicate with one another about food and diet. Results showcased that social media influenced both healthy and unhealthy eating habits in their advertisements. However, the study went into depth of finding strategies to utilize social media to positively change their eating behavior as they grow older. This article provides information on how social media can be used as a tool to fix an adolescent’s relationship with food. Davies, B., Turner, M., & Udell, J. (2020). Add a comment … how fitspiration and body positive captions attached to social media images influence the mood and body esteem of young female instagram users. Body Image, 33, 101–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.02.009 The authors explore how influencers on social media have impacted young girls to think negatively about their bodies. Although these influencers had good intentions to showcase the importance of staying healthy, the idea of having a toned body has become a toxic social norm that young girls and women try to follow. A study was conducted to measure a woman’s behavior when looking at “fitspiration” pictures from social media influencers. Results showcased that posts about body positive images and captions increase a woman’s body esteem. The article offers how social media can improve to become a positive environment for those who feel insecure and to become comfortable in their own skin. McAndrew, A. (2021). What do you see when you look at me? Social media, socialized gender variables, and disordered eating among adolescent girls [ProQuest Information & Learning]. In Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering (Vol. 82, Issue 5–B). McAndrew examined how sociocultural factors affected disordered eating among adolescent girls. The study consisted of how much time these girls spent on social media and how that affected the way they saw their bodies or how others saw them. The results showcased that girls would often react to photos of themselves along with celebrities and influencers. These young girls would not only compare themselves to celebrities but also to their own friends. It has gotten to the point where they edit photos of themselves to “be more presentable” to the public eye. This article showcased how young girls fear the judgment of social media and what others have to say about them. Simone, M., Long, E., & Lockhart, G. (2018). The dynamic relationship between unhealthy weight control and adolescent friendships: A social network approach. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(7), 1373–1384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-017-0796-z The author demonstrates that unhealthy weight control can contribute to the friendships being formed among adolescents. The author claims that these influences often pressure adolescents to look a certain way to be seen as cool or popular. A study was used to research how friendships can tie in with unhealthy weight control behaviors. The results showcase that adolescents would often be influenced by others claiming to be their friends to develop unhealthy relationships with food to fit in with their peers. Additionally, having friends with the same behaviors can increase the likelihood of developing an eating disorder later on in life. The article showcases how peer pressure can affect an adolescent’s relationship with healthy eating and exercise.
