| Abstract: | Body image is a multi-dimensional concept that can affect many facets in adolescent females' lives. The social comparison theory is a widely utilized theory when studying body image. This theory framed around the premise that individuals rely on comparisons made in a social environment. This purpose of this study was to investigate the sociocultural factors that influence adolescent female body image-largely focusing on mass media. This focus was to broaden and explore the normative assumptions in research on body image and to support the development of youth led initiatives appropriate for young people. To achieve this study is divided into four studies. The first article contains a systematic literature review that examines previous studies regarding media and the formation of adolescent female body image perceptions. The second, third and fourth articles utilize Photovoice methodologies to explore the overall concept of body image in relation to sociocultural factors and the media. Finally, the social comparison theory is utilized to assess these issues from a theoretical standpoint. All participants in this study displayed characteristics of individuals with positive body image and therefore offer a unique lens to conceptualize body image. Based on findings, it remains necessary to continue to accurately understand the body of literature as it relates to these populations since recent focus has shifted away from adolescents and the media in the United States. These findings also related a need for understanding media in a sociocultural context. The electronic version of this dissertation is accessible from http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/155333 |
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