Selfies and body dissatisfaction: Using the tripartite influence model to examine adolescents over time

Selfies are frequently used among adolescents. Yet little is known about how selfies relate to body dissatisfaction over time and the mechanisms involved. The present study examined the longitudinal relationships between selfies (i.e. taking, manipulating, investing in and posting) and body dissatisfaction via sociocultural mediators; thin-ideal internalisation and comparisons. Adolescents ( N = 573; M age = 15.38, SD = 1.34; 68.2% female) completed online surveys twice over 4 months. A cross-lagged mediation model demonstrated unidirectional relationships, whereby body dissatisfaction predicted higher investment and lower posting 4 months later. Mediation was only found via one pathway; body dissatisfaction predicted greater selfie investment via upward comparisons. Gender did not moderate the relationships. These findings provide little support for sociocultural mechanisms, suggesting researchers pursue alternative frameworks.