The impact of Fitspiration content on women’s body shame and sexual assertiveness

A PLS-SEM and multigroup analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID7477101
AuthorsYu Guo (0009-0002-1747-4440, Macau University of Science and Technology, China), Duorui Wang (Macau University of Science and Technology, China), H Xiang (0000-0003-0623-0985, Tsinghua University, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume28
Issue2
Pages485-506
Publication date2024-11-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueNew Media & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-4448 • E-ISSN: 1461-7315
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/14614448241292740
OpenAlexW4404488273
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited73

This study investigates the impact of Fitspiration on women’s body shame and sexual assertiveness. By integrating the tripartite influence model’s focus on media influence with self-objectification theory, we explore the mechanisms connecting Fitspiration consumption to female sexual autonomy. Specifically, we examine the mediating roles of perceived realism, ideal body internalization, appearance comparison, and body shame, as well as the moderating effect of social media usage habits. Data from 818 Chinese women were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results indicate that exposure to Fitspiration content increases perceived realism, which in turn influences ideal body internalization and appearance comparison, leading to heightened body shame and reduced sexual assertiveness. In addition, social media usage habits further shape the relationship between media exposure and perceived realism

Assertiveness · Content (measure theory · Content analysis · Shame · Social science · Sociology · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Mathematics · Psychology · Social Psychology

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