Jolien Trekels
Biographic Data
| ID | 219197 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Jolien Trekels |
| GIVEN NAMES | Jolien |
| FAMILY NAME | Trekels |
| SIGNATURE | TREKELS J |
| AFFILIATIONS | KU Leuven |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-7206-5271 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 21 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 32 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 21 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2015 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Selfies as a tool for self-presentation: Relations between strategic selfie-behavior, peer feedback and appearance dis/satisfaction among Belgian teens
Taking and posting selfies is one of the most popular activities adolescents engage in on social media. This study explored how different types of selfie practices (i.e. selfie investment and editing) relate to appearance dissatisfaction. Across two cross-sectional studies, Belgian adolescents (Study 1: N = 806, age range = 13–19 years; Mage = 15.58; Study 2: N = 262, age range = 13–19 years; Mage = 15.99) reported on their self-presentation expe…
Neural and psychological predictors of digital status‐seeking in adolescence
While social media affords youths the opportunity to enhance their online status via the accumulation of likes , followers, and other quantifiable metrics, not all youths engage in digital status‐seeking. Individual differences in adolescents' neural sensitivity to low popular peers and social motivations may help explain why some youth engage more strongly in digital status‐seeking than others. We examined how adolescents' social motivation such…
The Swiss cheese model of social cues: A theoretical perspective on the role of social context in shaping social media’s effect on adolescent well-being
Media effects research has observed significant diversity in the effects of social media on adolescent well-being, with outcomes ranging from positive to negative and, in some cases, neutral effects. In an effort to comprehend and elucidate this diversity, we have formulated The Swiss Cheese Model of Social Cues, a theoretical framework that systematically categorizes potential sources contributing to these variations. This dynamic model encompas…
From filters to body positivity: Opposing social media messages and adolescent body image
Understanding adolescents’ family communication during Covid-19: An ecological momentary design study
The COVID-19 pandemic presented many new challenges for families to navigate. The present study took place between May and September 2020 and included a racially diverse sample of adolescents (34% White/European, 30% Latine, 24% Black/African American, 9% multiracial/other race; N = 213, M age = 15 years, 53% girls). Participants reported their affective responses to COVID-19 in a baseline survey and completed 14 days of ecological momentary asse…
Dispositional and Social Correlates of Digital Status Seeking Among Adolescents
Social media have transformed peer relationships among adolescents, providing new avenues to attain online status indicators such as likes and followers. This study aimed to explore the associations between various dispositional and social factors and digital status-seeking behaviors among a sample of adolescents (N = 731; Mage = 14.69, 48.7 percent female), as well as explore potential gender differences in the examined associations. Sociometric…
Adolescents’ Multi-Layered Media Processing: A Panel Study on Positive and Negative Perceptions Toward Ideals and Adolescents’ Appearance Anxiety
Selective exposure literature indicates that not all users take away the same messages from their media exposure; it is suggested that viewers are not merely exposed but rather reactive to multiple—and possibly opposing—messages. The current study aims to introduce an active media-processing perspective, focusing specifically on the media-body image association among an early adolescent sample. Results of a three-wave longitudinal survey among 97…
How it feels to be “left on read”: Social surveillance on Snapchat and young individuals’ mental health
Research has shown that young individuals frequently turn to social networking sites (SNSs) to monitor others’ behaviors. This is especially likely with Snapchat, as this platform offers extensive monitoring options in real time, for instance through the use of the “snap map”. However, despite the growth of surveillance features, little is known about the use of these features and their possible association with individuals’ mental health. Conseq…
Adolescents’ Objectification of Their Same-Sex Friends: Indirect Relationships With Media Use Through Self-Objectification, Rewarded Appearance Ideals, and Online Appearance Conversations
A cross-sectional study among adolescent boys and girls examined whether exposure to popular television programs and Facebook predicts the extent to which adolescents objectify their same-sex friends. Two pathways were tested to explain these relationships. The first included internalization of rewarded appearance ideals and self-objectification. The second included appearance conversations with friends on Facebook. Results revealed that adolesce…
Television, news media, social media and adolescents’ and young adults’ violations of the Covid-19 lockdown measures: A prototype willingness model
The Development of the Positive Sexuality in Adolescence Scale (PSAS)
The aim of the present investigation was to develop a comprehensive tool to measure positive sexuality among adolescents. We first conducted an extensive literature review to develop the Positive Sexuality in Adolescence Scale (PSAS). We also conducted focus group interviews with adolescents ( N = 14) to explore their understanding of positive sexuality and to discuss the proposed scale items. In two survey studies ( N total = 890), we examined t…
I (Don’t) Respect My Body”: Investigating the Role of Mass Media Use and Self-Objectification on Adolescents’ Positive Body Image in a Cross-National Study
This cross-national survey among Austrian, Belgian, Spanish, and South Korean boys and girls (N = 1,983; Mage = 14.41, SD = 1.08) investigated the association between mass media use, self-objectification, and positive body image. In doing so, we (a) extended existing research on the link between media use and positive body image by including different media genres that are known to be part of adolescents’ media diets, (b) introduced self-objectif…
Me, Myself, and My Favorite Media Figure: An Objectification Perspective on the Role of Media and Peers in Early Adolescents’ Self-sexualization
This study seeks a deeper understanding of the associations between early adolescents’ encounter with sexualizing messages, both through media and peers, and self-sexualization (i.e., performing sexualizing appearance behaviors). To address this aim, this three-wave panel study (N = 971, 49% girls; Mage = 11.14) takes both intra- and interpersonal aspects of sexualization into account. Specifically, sexualizing experiences have been shown to play…
Expanding Models Testing Media Contributions to Self-Sexualization
Although everyday exposure to mainstream media is theorized to be associated with women's self-objectification, empirical tests of this association have yielded mixed results. There are several possible explanations for these mixed results. For example, it may be that mainstream media relate to women's broader tendency to self-sexualize rather than to self-objectify, that newer forms of media (i.e., social media) should be incorporated into these…
How Social and Mass Media Relate to Youth’s Self-Sexualization: Taking a Cross-National Perspective on Rewarded Appearance Ideals
Media ideals and other-sex peer norms among Belgian early adolescents: Equating self-worth with attractiveness
The purpose of this study was to investigate how total amount of television and magazine exposure and heterosocial involvement (i.e., mixed-sex interactions) relate to the endorsement of dysfunctional appearance beliefs. We anticipated a double dose effect in that exposure to media would be related to more dysfunctional appearance beliefs among those who are frequently involved in mixed-sex interactions. A total of 1976 early adolescent boys and …
Linking Magazine Exposure to Social Appearance Anxiety: The Role of Appearance Norms in Early Adolescence
Early adolescents (N = 1,591; M age = 11.698; SD = 0.892) participated in a two-wave panel study (6-month interval) to examine the longitudinal association between appearance-focused magazine exposure and social appearance anxiety. We revealed that magazine exposure positively correlated with the internalization of appearance ideals and the attribution of social rewards to attractiveness which, in turn, related to social appearance anxiety. Inter…
Preadolescents’ Reliance on and Internalization of Media Appearance Ideals: Triggers and Consequences
The present three-wave panel study ( N = 973, [Formula: see text] = 11.14) sought to advance the current literature on media internalization in preadolescence by examining triggers and consequences related to preadolescents’ media internalization and use of media for appearance information. We sought to examine whether (a) media internalization and use of media for appearance information could be explained by pubertal timing and peer appearance c…
I Can/Should Look Like a Media Figure”: The Association Between Direct and Indirect Media Exposure and Teens’ Sexualizing Appearance Behaviors
Prior research has examined the influence of media exposure on adolescents' sexualized self-concept, but engagement in sexualizing appearance behaviors remains understudied, especially among a younger age group (i.e., early adolescents). This three-wave panel study among 971 nine- to 14-year-olds (M age = 12.99, SD = 1.03) showed that discussing media content with friends (i.e., indirect media exposure) was indirectly related to sexualizing appea…
Beauty is Good: The Appearance Culture, the Internalization of Appearance Ideals, and Dysfunctional Appearance Beliefs Among Tweens
© 2016 International Communication Association Dysfunctional appearance beliefs have been identified as important risk factors in the development of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors among early adolescents. The current two-wave study among 10–14-year-olds (N = 1,597, Mage = 11.25, SD = 1.05) aimed to delineate factors that contribute to the endorsement of such beliefs. Results showed that tweens discussed appearance-related to…
Reciprocal Relationships Between Music Television Exposure and Adolescents’ Sexual Behaviors: The Role of Perceived Peer Norms
I Can/Should Look Like a Media Figure”: The Association Between Direct and Indirect Media Exposure and Teens’ Sexualizing Appearance Behaviors
Prior research has examined the influence of media exposure on adolescents' sexualized self-concept, but engagement in sexualizing appearance behaviors remains understudied, especially among a younger age group (i.e., early adolescents). This three-wave panel study among 971 nine- to 14-year-olds (M age = 12.99, SD = 1.03) showed that discussing media content with friends (i.e., indirect media exposure) was indirectly related to sexualizing appea…
Preadolescents’ Reliance on and Internalization of Media Appearance Ideals: Triggers and Consequences
The present three-wave panel study ( N = 973, [Formula: see text] = 11.14) sought to advance the current literature on media internalization in preadolescence by examining triggers and consequences related to preadolescents’ media internalization and use of media for appearance information. We sought to examine whether (a) media internalization and use of media for appearance information could be explained by pubertal timing and peer appearance c…
Beauty is Good: The Appearance Culture, the Internalization of Appearance Ideals, and Dysfunctional Appearance Beliefs Among Tweens
© 2016 International Communication Association Dysfunctional appearance beliefs have been identified as important risk factors in the development of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors among early adolescents. The current two-wave study among 10–14-year-olds (N = 1,597, Mage = 11.25, SD = 1.05) aimed to delineate factors that contribute to the endorsement of such beliefs. Results showed that tweens discussed appearance-related to…
I (Don’t) Respect My Body”: Investigating the Role of Mass Media Use and Self-Objectification on Adolescents’ Positive Body Image in a Cross-National Study
This cross-national survey among Austrian, Belgian, Spanish, and South Korean boys and girls (N = 1,983; Mage = 14.41, SD = 1.08) investigated the association between mass media use, self-objectification, and positive body image. In doing so, we (a) extended existing research on the link between media use and positive body image by including different media genres that are known to be part of adolescents’ media diets, (b) introduced self-objectif…
Me, Myself, and My Favorite Media Figure: An Objectification Perspective on the Role of Media and Peers in Early Adolescents’ Self-sexualization
This study seeks a deeper understanding of the associations between early adolescents’ encounter with sexualizing messages, both through media and peers, and self-sexualization (i.e., performing sexualizing appearance behaviors). To address this aim, this three-wave panel study (N = 971, 49% girls; Mage = 11.14) takes both intra- and interpersonal aspects of sexualization into account. Specifically, sexualizing experiences have been shown to play…
How Social and Mass Media Relate to Youth’s Self-Sexualization: Taking a Cross-National Perspective on Rewarded Appearance Ideals
Linking Magazine Exposure to Social Appearance Anxiety: The Role of Appearance Norms in Early Adolescence
Early adolescents (N = 1,591; M age = 11.698; SD = 0.892) participated in a two-wave panel study (6-month interval) to examine the longitudinal association between appearance-focused magazine exposure and social appearance anxiety. We revealed that magazine exposure positively correlated with the internalization of appearance ideals and the attribution of social rewards to attractiveness which, in turn, related to social appearance anxiety. Inter…
The Development of the Positive Sexuality in Adolescence Scale (PSAS)
The aim of the present investigation was to develop a comprehensive tool to measure positive sexuality among adolescents. We first conducted an extensive literature review to develop the Positive Sexuality in Adolescence Scale (PSAS). We also conducted focus group interviews with adolescents ( N = 14) to explore their understanding of positive sexuality and to discuss the proposed scale items. In two survey studies ( N total = 890), we examined t…
Reciprocal Relationships Between Music Television Exposure and Adolescents’ Sexual Behaviors: The Role of Perceived Peer Norms
Expanding Models Testing Media Contributions to Self-Sexualization
Although everyday exposure to mainstream media is theorized to be associated with women's self-objectification, empirical tests of this association have yielded mixed results. There are several possible explanations for these mixed results. For example, it may be that mainstream media relate to women's broader tendency to self-sexualize rather than to self-objectify, that newer forms of media (i.e., social media) should be incorporated into these…
Reciprocal Relationships Between Music Television Exposure and Adolescents’ Sexual Behaviors: The Role of Perceived Peer Norms
Media ideals and other-sex peer norms among Belgian early adolescents: Equating self-worth with attractiveness
The purpose of this study was to investigate how total amount of television and magazine exposure and heterosocial involvement (i.e., mixed-sex interactions) relate to the endorsement of dysfunctional appearance beliefs. We anticipated a double dose effect in that exposure to media would be related to more dysfunctional appearance beliefs among those who are frequently involved in mixed-sex interactions. A total of 1976 early adolescent boys and …
Linking Magazine Exposure to Social Appearance Anxiety: The Role of Appearance Norms in Early Adolescence
Early adolescents (N = 1,591; M age = 11.698; SD = 0.892) participated in a two-wave panel study (6-month interval) to examine the longitudinal association between appearance-focused magazine exposure and social appearance anxiety. We revealed that magazine exposure positively correlated with the internalization of appearance ideals and the attribution of social rewards to attractiveness which, in turn, related to social appearance anxiety. Inter…
Preadolescents’ Reliance on and Internalization of Media Appearance Ideals: Triggers and Consequences
The present three-wave panel study ( N = 973, [Formula: see text] = 11.14) sought to advance the current literature on media internalization in preadolescence by examining triggers and consequences related to preadolescents’ media internalization and use of media for appearance information. We sought to examine whether (a) media internalization and use of media for appearance information could be explained by pubertal timing and peer appearance c…
I Can/Should Look Like a Media Figure”: The Association Between Direct and Indirect Media Exposure and Teens’ Sexualizing Appearance Behaviors
Prior research has examined the influence of media exposure on adolescents' sexualized self-concept, but engagement in sexualizing appearance behaviors remains understudied, especially among a younger age group (i.e., early adolescents). This three-wave panel study among 971 nine- to 14-year-olds (M age = 12.99, SD = 1.03) showed that discussing media content with friends (i.e., indirect media exposure) was indirectly related to sexualizing appea…
Beauty is Good: The Appearance Culture, the Internalization of Appearance Ideals, and Dysfunctional Appearance Beliefs Among Tweens
© 2016 International Communication Association Dysfunctional appearance beliefs have been identified as important risk factors in the development of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors among early adolescents. The current two-wave study among 10–14-year-olds (N = 1,597, Mage = 11.25, SD = 1.05) aimed to delineate factors that contribute to the endorsement of such beliefs. Results showed that tweens discussed appearance-related to…
How Social and Mass Media Relate to Youth’s Self-Sexualization: Taking a Cross-National Perspective on Rewarded Appearance Ideals
Expanding Models Testing Media Contributions to Self-Sexualization
Although everyday exposure to mainstream media is theorized to be associated with women's self-objectification, empirical tests of this association have yielded mixed results. There are several possible explanations for these mixed results. For example, it may be that mainstream media relate to women's broader tendency to self-sexualize rather than to self-objectify, that newer forms of media (i.e., social media) should be incorporated into these…
I (Don’t) Respect My Body”: Investigating the Role of Mass Media Use and Self-Objectification on Adolescents’ Positive Body Image in a Cross-National Study
This cross-national survey among Austrian, Belgian, Spanish, and South Korean boys and girls (N = 1,983; Mage = 14.41, SD = 1.08) investigated the association between mass media use, self-objectification, and positive body image. In doing so, we (a) extended existing research on the link between media use and positive body image by including different media genres that are known to be part of adolescents’ media diets, (b) introduced self-objectif…
Me, Myself, and My Favorite Media Figure: An Objectification Perspective on the Role of Media and Peers in Early Adolescents’ Self-sexualization
This study seeks a deeper understanding of the associations between early adolescents’ encounter with sexualizing messages, both through media and peers, and self-sexualization (i.e., performing sexualizing appearance behaviors). To address this aim, this three-wave panel study (N = 971, 49% girls; Mage = 11.14) takes both intra- and interpersonal aspects of sexualization into account. Specifically, sexualizing experiences have been shown to play…
Adolescents’ Objectification of Their Same-Sex Friends: Indirect Relationships With Media Use Through Self-Objectification, Rewarded Appearance Ideals, and Online Appearance Conversations
A cross-sectional study among adolescent boys and girls examined whether exposure to popular television programs and Facebook predicts the extent to which adolescents objectify their same-sex friends. Two pathways were tested to explain these relationships. The first included internalization of rewarded appearance ideals and self-objectification. The second included appearance conversations with friends on Facebook. Results revealed that adolesce…
Television, news media, social media and adolescents’ and young adults’ violations of the Covid-19 lockdown measures: A prototype willingness model
The Development of the Positive Sexuality in Adolescence Scale (PSAS)
The aim of the present investigation was to develop a comprehensive tool to measure positive sexuality among adolescents. We first conducted an extensive literature review to develop the Positive Sexuality in Adolescence Scale (PSAS). We also conducted focus group interviews with adolescents ( N = 14) to explore their understanding of positive sexuality and to discuss the proposed scale items. In two survey studies ( N total = 890), we examined t…
How it feels to be “left on read”: Social surveillance on Snapchat and young individuals’ mental health
Research has shown that young individuals frequently turn to social networking sites (SNSs) to monitor others’ behaviors. This is especially likely with Snapchat, as this platform offers extensive monitoring options in real time, for instance through the use of the “snap map”. However, despite the growth of surveillance features, little is known about the use of these features and their possible association with individuals’ mental health. Conseq…
Dispositional and Social Correlates of Digital Status Seeking Among Adolescents
Social media have transformed peer relationships among adolescents, providing new avenues to attain online status indicators such as likes and followers. This study aimed to explore the associations between various dispositional and social factors and digital status-seeking behaviors among a sample of adolescents (N = 731; Mage = 14.69, 48.7 percent female), as well as explore potential gender differences in the examined associations. Sociometric…
Adolescents’ Multi-Layered Media Processing: A Panel Study on Positive and Negative Perceptions Toward Ideals and Adolescents’ Appearance Anxiety
Selective exposure literature indicates that not all users take away the same messages from their media exposure; it is suggested that viewers are not merely exposed but rather reactive to multiple—and possibly opposing—messages. The current study aims to introduce an active media-processing perspective, focusing specifically on the media-body image association among an early adolescent sample. Results of a three-wave longitudinal survey among 97…
The Swiss cheese model of social cues: A theoretical perspective on the role of social context in shaping social media’s effect on adolescent well-being
Media effects research has observed significant diversity in the effects of social media on adolescent well-being, with outcomes ranging from positive to negative and, in some cases, neutral effects. In an effort to comprehend and elucidate this diversity, we have formulated The Swiss Cheese Model of Social Cues, a theoretical framework that systematically categorizes potential sources contributing to these variations. This dynamic model encompas…
From filters to body positivity: Opposing social media messages and adolescent body image
Understanding adolescents’ family communication during Covid-19: An ecological momentary design study
The COVID-19 pandemic presented many new challenges for families to navigate. The present study took place between May and September 2020 and included a racially diverse sample of adolescents (34% White/European, 30% Latine, 24% Black/African American, 9% multiracial/other race; N = 213, M age = 15 years, 53% girls). Participants reported their affective responses to COVID-19 in a baseline survey and completed 14 days of ecological momentary asse…
Selfies as a tool for self-presentation: Relations between strategic selfie-behavior, peer feedback and appearance dis/satisfaction among Belgian teens
Taking and posting selfies is one of the most popular activities adolescents engage in on social media. This study explored how different types of selfie practices (i.e. selfie investment and editing) relate to appearance dissatisfaction. Across two cross-sectional studies, Belgian adolescents (Study 1: N = 806, age range = 13–19 years; Mage = 15.58; Study 2: N = 262, age range = 13–19 years; Mage = 15.99) reported on their self-presentation expe…
Neural and psychological predictors of digital status‐seeking in adolescence
While social media affords youths the opportunity to enhance their online status via the accumulation of likes , followers, and other quantifiable metrics, not all youths engage in digital status‐seeking. Individual differences in adolescents' neural sensitivity to low popular peers and social motivations may help explain why some youth engage more strongly in digital status‐seeking than others. We examined how adolescents' social motivation such…
Psychology (19 works) · Social Psychology (17 works) · Developmental psychology (14 works) · Eating Disorders and Behaviors (9 works) · Media, Gender, and Advertising (8 works) · Social Psychology (8 works) · Impact of Technology on Adolescents (7 works) · Media Influence and Health (7 works) · Advertising (6 works) · Gender, Feminism, and Media (6 works)