Movie images and adolescent self-esteem: examining media effects

Power of Media vs. Power of Me: Young Adult Response to Movie Images

The topic of the effects of the media and its effects on adolescent self-image and self-esteem has become the subject of a number of academic research projects. In the literature reviewed, movies were found to included in the general definition of media. A majority of the studies posit that we gain our self-image by comparing ourselves to others. We attempt to find a group into which we fit. When we do not find a group to which we feel we belong, it can lead to a poor self-image and poor self-esteem.

There are many articles that draw a relationship between low self-esteem and conditions that can cause serious health problems such as bulimia, anorexia nervosa, depression and even suicidal tendencies. Most of the studies draw a clear cause and effect between unrealistic media images and the low self-esteem with all of its manifestations. B.J. Bushman and his many associates are responsible far a majority of work on this subject published in recent years.

Literature reveals that there are fewer articles that dispute the effects of media on self-esteem. The major argument for many of these articles is that there are many of other factors in a teenager's life that influence their self-esteem such as parents, family circumstances, support systems, and other factors. Essentially the literature that argues against the conclusions drawn by contradictory research is that their studies contained a design flaw in ability to isolate the dependent and independent variables and account for confounding variables. Literature on the subject of media and its effects on adolescent self-image are primarily in support of the idea that the media has a substantial influence on self-esteem. Literature seems heavily weighted towards this area. However, one cannot ignore the claims of those who find flaws with the methodology. This topic has received a great amount of media and academic attention in recent years and is likely to continue to do so in the future.