Emerging adults’ experiences and perceptions of the media’s role in body image and the development of eating disorders

In today’s society, the media has become the main source of attraction, significantly influencing individuals’ lives in terms of their conduct, choices and decision-making. The impact resulting from such a dynamic is so permeable that it plays an undeniable role in the perceptions of individuals’ body image, which could lead to the development of distorted eating behaviours and subsequently result in eating disorders. It has been found that emerging adults are susceptible to such an influence; this vulnerability stems from an underdeveloped identity, predisposing them to external influences that prescribe certain beauty standards. This study aimed to explore emerging adults’ experiences and perceptions of the media’s role in body image and the development of eating disorders. The study employed a qualitative research approach and collected data using non-probability purposive sampling. The study’s participants were eight students from the University of the Free State with a degree, majoring in psychology. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews and used thematic analysis to identify themes from the gathered data through the lens of the interpretative phenomenological design. This study found that the media plays a significant role in shaping the body image perceptions of emerging adults, leading them to desire to change their physical appearance. It was also discovered that emerging adults often feel dissatisfied with their appearance, influenced by changing beauty standards presented on various media platforms. In addition, the media’s portrayal of body image may trigger insecurities and a desire to conform to media-informed societal norms, affecting individuals’ self-esteem, seen in media and current trends, leading to pressure to conform to certain body types. Vulnerabilities in emerging adults, such as an unstable sense of identity and social comparison, contribute to distorted body image through exposure to unbalanced media content. It has also been discovered that unhealthy weight loss methods and promotions by media moguls further exacerbate these issues and that media personalities heavily influence emerging adults, especially in terms of body image and eating habits. The media promotes a narrative of being slim as ideal, leading to an urge for slenderness among consumers. This pressure to be thin can result in disordered eating behaviours and the development of eating disorders.