Internalization of Thin Ideal-Depicting Media Moderates the Association Between Self-Esteem and Body Dissatisfaction in Women

This study of 273 college women found that both internalization of the media-promoted thin body ideal and consumption of thin ideal-depicting media moderated the association between self-esteem and body dissatisfaction. As thin ideal media consumption and levels of internalization increased, the negative correlation between body dissatisfaction and self-esteem became stronger.