Keywords
body image
coping
well-being
women
How to Cite
Abstract
Image-centric social media, such as Instagram, are key platforms for self-presentation. Users can edit their photographs to achieve an idealized appearance, which may impact their psychological well-being. The aim of this study was twofold: a) to analyze photo-editing behaviors on Instagram and b) to examine the differences in positive body image, coping strategies, self-esteem, and well-being between young Spanish women who engage in high- and low-frequency photo editing. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used with a sample of 395 women (ages 18-35). The results indicate that participants who edited their photos more frequently (e.g., using filters or altering their body shape) reported a poorer body image, a greater tendency to define themselves by their physical appearance, higher use of maladaptive coping strategies (such as denial and substance use), and lower subjective and psychological well-being compared to those who edited their photos less often. These findings underscore the importance of addressing photo-editing behaviors in mental health interventions for young populations.
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