Adolescents' selfie-taking and selfie-editing: A revision of the photo manipulation scale and a moderated mediation model

'Selfie practices' (e.g., editing, filtering, sharing) have become adolescents' daily behaviors. The increasing centrality of online visual self-presentation might increase adolescents' appearance-related concerns, problematic monitoring, and photo manipulation (PM). However, few studies focused on body image control in photos (BICP) and PM, and no studies evaluated the influence of selfie-expectancies on photo-taking and photo-editing. Consequently, two studies were conducted. Study1 psychometrically evaluated the PM scale (N = 1353). Study2 evaluated the mediating role of BICP and the moderating role of gender in the relationship between selfie-expectancies and PM (N = 453). The revised PM scale showed good psychometric properties. BICP mediated the relationship between selfie-expectancies and PM and being male significantly affected the relationship between the variables. Implications for adolescents' appearance-related issues are discussed.

Automated summary

Selfie practices have become a daily behavior among adolescents, which may increase their concerns about appearance and issues with photo manipulation. This study found that body image control mediated the relationship between selfie-expectancies and photo manipulation, and gender significantly influenced this relationship.