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Deconstructing College Students' Perceptions of Thin-Idealized Versus Nonidealized Media Images on Body Dissatisfaction and Advertising Effectiveness

Clothing and Textiles Research Journal

Published online on

Abstract

Previous studies focused on revealing the negative effects of media exposure to thin-ideals on body image, such as body dissatisfaction, but overlooked investigating a possible influence of deflated body image after thin-idealized media exposure on advertising effectiveness. Therefore, this study investigated how the exposure of thin- versus non-idealized model images in fashion ads influence body dissatisfaction and advertising effectiveness. A conceptual model was developed, based on social comparison theory. A total of 380 female college students responded to a web-based survey. Results indicate participants exposed to thin-idealized model images showed greater body dissatisfaction and lower advertising effectiveness than those participants exposed to non-idealized model images. However, inflated body dissatisfaction after exposure to thin-idealized model images did not significantly or negatively influence advertising effectiveness. For more positive body image development and managerial implications of fashion advertising strategies, the potential use of non-idealized model images is suggested.