Call for papers

ZER. Journal of Studies of Communication

Call for papers: “Body Image and Social Media: The Influence and Promotional Appeal of Influencers”

  • Guest editors: Beatriz Feijoo, Arantxa Vizcaíno-Verdú, Patricia Núñez-Gómez
  • Deadline for receiving originals: 16 September
  • The monograph will be published in issue 57 of the journal ZER (November/December 2024).

 

Monograph Description

The significance of physical appearance has been pivotal in consumer society, as emphasized by Marzano-Parisoli (2001). Over the years, the quest for an idealized image has driven the consumption of a diverse array of products across sectors such as fashion, cosmetics, aesthetics, and even food. Advertising has adeptly leveraged this aspiration as a key selling point, as evidenced by prior investigations conducted by Borland and Akram (2007), De-Lenne et al. (2021), and Yu et al. (2011).

The maintenance of a "favorable" and "ideal" physical appearance is, from a psychological perspective, intricately linked to social acceptance, personal projection, and success within society—a trend increasingly mirrored in the realm of social media. Within this digital sphere, an attractive physical appearance correlates with a surge in followers, heightened interaction, and increased audience engagement (Faelens et al., 2021). Within this context, the presence and usage of filters that enhance users' physical attributes take on notable relevance.

The dichotomy between the idealized image and reality finds prominent expression within one of the most distinctive profiles on social media: influencers. Drawing upon Bandura's social cognitive theory (2001) and Festinger's social comparison theory (1954), theories previously employed to scrutinize the interplay between media exposure and body image perception (Hendrickse et al., 2017), it is plausible to posit that what influencers disseminate through their posts holds the potential to significantly shape how their followers construct their own body image (Silva et al., 2021; Burnette et al., 2017). The primary rationale behind this assertion is that, in the influencer milieu, all content revolves around a central figure, established as recognized opinion leaders in the media, thereby rendering their physical appearance a highly influential element in community-building (Silva et al., 2021).

Moreover, when we take into account that certain content created by these influencers serves commercial interests, it heightens the apprehension regarding the extent of their influence on their audience. Influencers’ commercial appeal is undeniable. In Spain, for instance, despite a nearly 23% decrease in advertising expenditure in 2022, influencer marketing witnessed substantial growth (Infoadex, 2023).

Previous research (e.g., Ameen et al., 2022; Lowe-Calverley & Greeve, 2020; Tiggeman & Anderberg, 2020; Su et al., 2021) has demonstrated that exposure to influencer content can influence users' body satisfaction, sometimes negatively. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that influencer content also has the potential to yield positive effects. Durau et al. (2022) found that content created by fitness-oriented influencers effectively promotes physical activity among their followers. Furthermore, Town et al. (2023) and West (2022) have highlighted the intent of these profiles to foster self-care and promote healthy self-esteem.

Of particular concern is the impact of influencer content on underage audiences. These individuals often have limited resources for processing and managing such exposure. Consequently, studying this topic with a focus on minors is of paramount importance. Nonetheless, it is essential not to overlook other demographic groups, including older adults, who are increasingly targeted by commercial messages pertaining to body care and physical appearance.

With this backdrop, this monograph invites the scientific community from diverse fields within the social sciences to engage in a multidisciplinary exploration of the impact of influencers on the perception of physical appearance, body image, and self-perception across all age groups and generations. Particular attention will be given to the influence on minors. Manuscripts, while not limited to, are encouraged to address the following topics:

  1. The role of influencers in promoting body care (or worship).
  2. The impact of influencers on the body-positive movement.
  3. Influencer-driven promotion of physical exercise.
  4. The utilization of influencers in marketing, with a focus on the body as a selling point.
  5. The relationship between senior audiences and influencers in the context of body care.
  6. The influence of fitness-oriented influencers on audience lifestyles.
  7. Challenges surrounding body and nutrition in influencer content.
  8. The use of filters on social media and its implications for body image.
  9. The portrayal of stereotypes, beauty, and advertising on social media by influencers.
  10. The narratives related to body and their connection to mental health and self-image.

This monograph is a part of the "TEEN ONFIT: Between Healthiness and Physical Worship - Assessing the Impact of Content Published by Fitness Influencers on Teenagers' Body Care," funded by the Institute for Transfer and Research (ITEI) at the International University of La Rioja.

Keywords: influencers, body worship, physical appearance, social media, health, body satisfaction, mental health.

 

 

References

Ameen, N., Cheah, J. H., & Kumar, S. (2022). It's all part of the customer journey: The impact of augmented reality, chatbots, and social media on the body image and self-esteem of Generation Z female consumers. Psychology & Marketing, 39(11), 2110-2129. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21715

Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory: an agentic perspective. Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.1 

Borland, H., & Akram, S. (2007). Age is no barrier to wanting to look good: women on body image, age and advertising. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 10(3), 310-333. https://doi.org/10.1108/13522750710754335

Burnette, C. B., Kwitowski, M. A., & Mazzeo, S. E. (2017). "I don't need people to tell me I'm pretty on social media:" A qualitative study of social media and body image in early adolescent girls. Body Image, 23, 114-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.09.001

De Lenne, O., Vandenbosch, L., Smits, T., & Eggermont, S. (2021). Framing real beauty: A framing approach to the effects of beauty advertisements on body image and advertising effectiveness. Body image, 37, 255-268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.03.003

Durau, J., Diehl, S., & Terlutter, R. (2022). Motivate me to exercise with you: The effects of social media fitness influencers on users' intentions to engage in physical activity and the role of user gender. Digital Health, 8. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221102769

Faelens, L., Hoorelbeke, K., Cambier, R., van Put, J., Van de Putte, E., De Raedt, R., & Koster, E. H. (2021). The relationship between Instagram use and indicators of mental health: A systematic review. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 4, 100121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100121

Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117-140. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872675400700202 

Hendrickse, J., Arpan, L. M., Clayton, R. B., & Ridgway, J. L. (2017). Instagram and college women's body image: Investigating the roles of appearance-related comparisons and intrasexual competition. Computers in Human Behavior, 74, 92-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.027

Infoadex (2023). Summary of the Infoadex Study of Advertising Investment in Spain 2022. http://bit.ly/3LRKNPi  

Lowe-Calverley, E., & Grieve, R. (2021). Do the metrics matter? An experimental investigation of Instagram influencer effects on mood and body dissatisfaction. Body image, 36, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.10.003

Marzano-Parisoli, M.M. (2001) The contemporary construction of a perfect body image: Bodybuilding, exercise addiction, and eating disorders. Quest, 53(2), 216-230. https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2001.10491741

Silva, M. D. B., Farias, S. A., Grigg, M. H., & Barbosa, M. L. (2021). The body as a brand in social media: analyzing digital fitness influencers as product endorsers. Athenea digital, 21(1), 1-34. https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/athenea.2614 

Su, Y., Kunkel, T., & Ye, N. (2021). When abs do not sell: The impact of male influencers conspicuously displaying a muscular body on female followers. Psychology & Marketing, 38(2), 286-297. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21322

Yu, U. J., Damhorst, M. L., & Russell, D. W. (2011). The impact of body image on consumers' perceptions of idealized advertising images and brand attitudes. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 40(1), 58-73. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-3934.2011.02088.x