Selfie posting predicts self-objectification in adolescents: the mediating role of authenticity and the moderating role of gender
Current Psychology, vol.44, no.19, pp.15807-15822, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 44 Issue: 19
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s12144-025-08323-8
- Journal Name: Current Psychology
- Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, BIOSIS, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, Psycinfo
- Page Numbers: pp.15807-15822
- Keywords: Selfie, Social media, Authenticity, Self-objectification
- Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The relationship between selfie-posting behavior and self-objectification is well known. Related theories and indirect evidence suggest that authenticity will play a role in this relationship. However, this hypothesis has not been previously examined. Studies that have examined the relationship between selfie posting and self-objectification have mostly focused on women. There is limited evidence for the moderating role of gender in this relationship. The current study aims to determine the mediating role of authenticity and the moderating role of gender in the relationship between selfie-posting behavior and self-objectification. Study data were collected from 919 adolescents (586 female, 333 male) using self-report scales. The self-report scales were delivered to the participants online. The data was evaluated using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis, and the mediating role and moderating role analysis were performed with PROCESS Macro. The current study found that selfie posting predicts self-objectification in adolescents, with authenticity mediating this relationship negatively. Contrary to expectations, the link between selfie posting and self-objectification was found to be stronger for male adolescents than for females. The study provides important findings on the impact of the relationships between social media behaviors and authenticity and offers significant evidence of gender differences in the impact of social media behaviors.