The influence of media exposure on body image and health behaviors: Does personality make a difference?

Thin ideal images are represented throughout the media both in print and on screen. Women in the media are portrayed as thin while men are portrayed as muscular. Exposure to these unrealistic representations in the media often is associated with individuals experiencing body dissatisfaction and participating in unhealthy behaviors. Personality differences are one explanation as to why individuals react to images in the media differently. Neuroticism specifically has been found to be associated with body dissatisfaction and detrimental health behaviors whereas agreeableness, conscientiousness, and extroversion have been associated with positive health behaviors. The present study further examines the relationships between personality style, media exposure, body image and dissatisfaction, as well as health behaviors. Male and female participants 18 years and older completed an online survey regarding their current health behaviors, evaluation of body image quality of life, body dissatisfaction, personality traits, and media exposure. Neuroticism was negatively associated with body image quality of life and healthy activities, and was positively associated with body dissatisfaction. Extraversion was positively associated with body image quality of life. Conscientiousness was associated with healthy activities and health consciousness. Use of active types of media was associated with participation in various types of physical activity. Degree Type Dissertation Rights Terms of use for work posted in CommonKnowledge. Comments Library Use: LIH This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/1101 Copyright and terms of use If you have downloaded this document directly from the web or from CommonKnowledge, see the “Rights” section on the previous page for the terms of use. If you have received this document through an interlibrary loan/document delivery service, the following terms of use apply: Copyright in this work is held by the author(s). You may download or print any portion of this document for personal use only, or for any use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.). Except for personal or fair use, you or your borrowing library may not reproduce, remix, republish, post, transmit, or distribute this document, or any portion thereof, without the permission of the copyright owner. [Note: If this document is licensed under a Creative Commons license (see “Rights” on the previous page) which allows broader usage rights, your use is governed by the terms of that license. ] Inquiries regarding further use of these materials should be addressed to: CommonKnowledge Rights, Pacific University Library, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, (503) 352-7209. Email inquiries may be directed to:. copyright@pacificu.edu This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/1101 THE INFLUENCE OF MEDIA EXPOSURE ON BODY IMAGE AND HEALTH BEHAVIORS: DOES PERSONALITY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PACIFIC UNIVERSITY HILLSBORO, OREGON BY KALIN E. BURKHARDT IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY October 17, 2013