Body Image
Some of my research has focused on examining how early adolescents’ exposure idealized appearance standards relates to their own body image (e.g., appearance anxiety, body dissatisfaction).
Main conclusion
The main conclusion of my PhD dissertation is that sociocultural factors influence individuals’ behavior when they have accepted and internalized appearance ideals. This internal influence, which includes personal attitudes and values towards appearance, affects behavior. Adolescents’ incorporation of appearance ideals into their body image is triggered by their perception of attractiveness as rewarded. There is an internalized socialization process where adolescents become aware of prevailing appearance standards through interactions within the appearance culture. Contemporary appearance ideals are multifaceted, focusing not only on body composition but also on sexual attractiveness. The study focused on early adolescents’ active participation in complying with sexualizing appearance ideals. Adolescents’ investment in their body image is likely influenced more by peer interactions than by media exposure, although media exposure can contribute to what is discussed among peers.
Selected publications
Trekels, J. & Eggermont, S. (2023). Adolescents’ multi-layered media processing: A panel study on positive and negative perceptions towards ideals and adolescents’ appearance anxiety. Communication Research. Advanced Online Publication. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/00936502231151471
Trekels, J., Eggermont, S. (2020). Me, Myself, and My Favorite Media Figure: An Objectification Perspective on the Role of Media and Peers in Early Adolescents’ Self-sexualization. Mass Communication & Society, 24(1), 31-56. doi: 10.1080/15205436.2020.1817943
Trekels, J., Eggermont, S. (2017). Beauty is Good: The appearance culture, the internalization of appearance ideals, and dysfunctional appearance beliefs among tweens. Human Communication Research, 43 (2), 173-192. Doi: 10.1111/hcre.12100
Opportunities to Foster Positive Body Image
New trends on social media counter-act or disillusionate idealized appearance ideals. Consequently, youth seem to be exposed to a “dual narrative” on body image which I argue needs to be taken into account when we want to understand how youth develop their body image in contemporary society.
Selected publications
Trekels, J. & Eggermont, S. (2023). Adolescents’ multi-layered media processing: A panel study on positive and negative perceptions towards ideals and adolescents’ appearance anxiety. Communication Research. Advanced Online Publication. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/00936502231151471
Maes, C., Trekels, J., Tylka, T., & Vandenbosch, L. (2021). The Positive Body Image among Adolescents Scale (PBIAS): Conceptualization, development, and psychometric evaluation among adolescents from Belgium. Body Image, 38, 270-288. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.05.004
What could we take away from my research?