Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

F itspiration on S ocial M edia and A dolescent B ody I mage: S ocial C omparison, S elf- o bjectification, and D ifferential S usceptibility

Ziqian Li*
The University of Sydney

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

This research employs a literature-based analytical approach to investigate the correlation between adolescents' body image and appearance-focused fitspiration on social media. It emphasizes specific fitness and beauty narratives that adolescents encounter on visual and short-video platforms, rather than seeing screen time as a uniform source of impact. The Differential Susceptibility to Media Effects Model, Objectification Theory, Tripartite Influence Model, and Social Comparison Theory are employed to evaluate contemporary research. The examination indicates that interaction centred on appearance is more reliably linked to body-image issues than overall social media usage, with upward appearance comparison serving as one of the most compelling rationales for this connection. Nevertheless, the current data lack a clear or universal direct impact. While body monitoring remains a theoretically relevant but understudied process in teenage fitspiration research, individual and cultural factors such as peer appearance pressure and self-esteem may impact susceptibility. The data strengthens the evidence for a more conditional and content-specific explanation of fitspiration and offers areas of attention for future long-term research.

Keywords: Fitspiration; Adolescent Body Image; Social Comparison; Self-Objectification; Social Media
Published: September 22, 2026
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2026.BJ37081
Volume: CHR Vol.119
pp. 97-104
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