Aspiring to have the looks of a celebrity: young girls' engagement in appearance management behaviors.

ABSTRACT

Research suggests that sexualizing media messages are present in teen media and negatively affect young girls' body image. Yet, it is unknown whether exposure to teen television programs is associated with girls' engagement in appearance management behaviors. Two-wave longitudinal data among 785 girls (Mage = 11.65 years) were collected. Results show that teen television exposure was longitudinally related to appearance management, while the reverse relation was not supported. Approximately half of the girls indicated to manage their appearance to some extent, and 13- to 14-year-old girls were more likely to invest in their appearance than younger girls. Thirty percent of those who did not manage their appearance at the start of the study indicated to have initiated appearance management 6 months later. Frequent viewers were four times, three times, and twice as more likely to style their hair, wear heels, and apply make-up compared to non-viewers. CONCLUSION: The current study showed that teen media exposure plays a role in young girls' appearance management. The findings point to a need to teach young girls about stereotypical messages in media content directed towards them. Prevention efforts should focus on girls who frequently watch teen media. What is Known • Sexualizing media messages are present in teen media. • Gender identity development is one of the key tasks during adolescence. What is New • Tween television exposure predicts 9- to 14-year-old girls' engagement in appearance management over time. • Engagement in appearance management behaviors did not predict 9- to 14-year-old girls' exposure to tween television programs.