Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2025

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Changing to Impress: Testing a Mediation Model from Instagram Self-presentation to Cosmetic Surgery
Tommaso Galeotti1, Claudia Marino2, Natale Canale2
1Dipartimento di Psicologia dello Sviluppo e della Socializzazione, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Venezia, 8, 35131, Padova, Italy. galeotti.tommaso@gmail.com.
False self-presentation on Instagram is linked to cosmetic surgery consideration, primarily through controlling body image in photos (BICP). Promoting authentic online self-presentation may reduce cosmetic surgery desires.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Media Studies
- Cosmetic Surgery Research
Background:
- Investigates the link between false self-presentation on Instagram and cosmetic surgery intentions.
- Examines the mediating roles of body image control in photos (BICP), photo manipulation, and body shame.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the indirect association between Instagram self-presentation and cosmetic surgery consideration.
- To understand the influence of photo editing and body shame in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Online survey of 504 young Italian adults (18-30 years).
- Utilized questionnaires for self-presentation, BICP, photo manipulation, body shame, and cosmetic surgery acceptance.
- Path analysis was employed to examine the associations between constructs.
Main Results:
- False self-presentation on Instagram correlated with photo manipulation (directly and via BICP) and cosmetic surgery consideration (solely via BICP).
- Photo manipulation was associated with body shame.
- Neither photo manipulation nor body shame directly predicted cosmetic surgery intentions.
Conclusions:
- Instagram self-presentation styles influence photo behaviors and cosmetic surgery intentions.
- Surgeons should assess patient motivations, considering online presentation habits.
- Interventions promoting authentic online self-presentation could mitigate self-objectification and reduce interest in cosmetic procedures.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Stereotype Content Model
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...

