This study examined the relationships among body satisfaction, self-esteem, body esteem and internalization of media images among female adolescents. Eighty-six adolescent females at Watkins Memorial High School participated in the study. Each subject was asked to participate in two sessions, which were designed to examine how idealized media images are internalized and how these images affect adolescent body satisfaction, self-esteem and body esteem.
In the first session, the girls were asked to evaluate their levels of body satisfaction, self-esteem and body esteem. In the follow up session, girls were exposed to idealized media images of female bodies or images of fashion accessories. This session was designed to measure subjects' responses regarding their body satisfaction, self-esteem and body esteem after exposure to media images.
Data were analyzed using t-tests, simple regression, and chi square tests. Results revealed that exposure to idealized images had little effect on girls' body satisfaction, self-esteem, and body esteem. However, results revealed that differences in motives do exist for comparison to idealized images. A relationship was found such that girls who compare to images had low levels of body satisfaction. Comments from the girls indicated a "tug-of-war" with social comparison; they found themselves compelled to compare, but also wished to be appreciated as unique individuals. They often times placed a higher value on comparing to their peers than to idealized images in the media, which still may result is lower levels of body satisfaction, self-esteem and body esteem.