What about young adults' photo manipulation activity? The predictive role of body shame and the mediating effect of body esteem

In recent years, the centrality of photos on Social Networking Sites (SNSs) dramatically increased among young adults. The particular attention addressed to visual self-presentation might lead to body shame, influencing individuals' body esteem and, likely, promoting photo manipulation (PM). Indeed, manipulating photos to alter how the body appears might be driven by the need to improve self-esteem and reduce body shame, albeit by digitally modified body image. Consequently, two studies were conducted. Study1 psychometrically evaluated the PM scale in a sample of Italian young adults (N = 922). Study2 verified the direct and indirect effect of body shame on PM, testing the mediating effect of body esteem and the moderating effect of gender (N = 595). The PM scale for young adults showed good psychometric properties. The tested mediation model revealed that body shame was both directly and indirectly associated with PM, via body esteem appearance in both male and female participants and via body esteem attribution among young men (R-2 = 0.204; p < .001). Implications for young adults' appearance-related issues are discussed.

Automated summary

In recent years, the importance of photos on Social Networking Sites (SNSs) for young adults has greatly increased. The focus on visual self-presentation can lead to body shame, affecting individuals' body esteem and potentially promoting photo manipulation (PM). Two studies were conducted to evaluate the PM scale and examine the relationship between body shame and PM. The results showed that body shame was directly and indirectly associated with PM, mediated by body esteem appearance for both genders and by body esteem attribution among young men.