Print Medias Impact on Self-Image of Teenaged Students from Public Colleges

CHAPTER 1
A. Introduction
Print media in the broad sense, all printed matter, in a narrower but widespread
usage, a synonym for press, is used to refer to newspapers, magazines, and other
periodicals (The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 1979). Many studies conclude that there is
clearly a link between young women's self-image and print media. Self-image has been
defined as the "total subjective perception of oneself, including an image of one's body
and impressions of one's personality, capabilities, and so on (another term for selfconcept)" (Coon, 1994). Psychology Today (2013) described adolescence as the teenage
years between 13 and 19 and can be considered the transitional stage from childhood to
adulthood. However, the physical and psychological changes that occur in adolescence
can start earlier, during the preteen or tween years (ages 9- 12). Adolescence can be a
time of both disorientation and discovery. The transitional period can bring up issues of
independence and self-identity. During this time, peer groups and external appearance
tend to increase importance. That is why a teenagers self-image is such a big concern
and issue for himself or herself. It is no question that print media influences teenagers to
a great degree. Adolescents are more impressionable than any other age group. This is
because this is a time when they are developing their identities in such a way that society
will accept. Print media plays a large role in how teenagers view themselves by shaping
images of what teenagers are supposed to be or do, how they are supposed to dress, and
how they are supposed to act (Brandon, 2011). Print media frequently present idealized
images of women in order to sell products. Research shows that exposure to these images

lowers women's self-concept, body satisfaction (Cash, Cash, & Butters, 1983), and mood
(Heinberg & Thompson, 1995, Wolf, 1991). These media images are common in our
society and present unrealistic images of the ideal female body. Failing to meet or
achieve these ideals result in lowered mood and lowered self-concept and body
satisfaction.
In our society, which focuses on physical appearance, being fat is looked down
upon, while being thin, like the female models in the magazines and other printed media,
is idolized. The difference between the size of the average woman in real life and the
average woman depicted in print media is widening, which can contribute to body
dissatisfaction being more common among females. Body dissatisfaction is the most
common cause of the development of eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia
nervosa. People with Anorexia Nervosa, as defined by the American Psychological
Association, suffer from: a distorted body image that causes them to see themselves as
overweight even when they're dangerously thin. Often refusing to eat, exercising
compulsively, and developing unusual habits such as refusing to eat in front of others,
they lose large amounts of weight and may even starve to death. Bulimia Nervosa on the
other hand, is diagnosed in people who: eat excessive quantities, and then purge their
bodies of the food and calories they fear by using laxatives, enemas, or diuretics;
vomiting; or exercising. Often acting in secrecy, they feel disgusted and ashamed as they
binge, yet relieved of tension and negative emotions once their stomachs are empty
again.
In the Philippines, we see a lot of fashion and lifestyle magazines like
Cosmopolitan, FHM, Mega, Preview, Metro, etc. On the cover of these magazines, we

see an abundance of statements alongside the images of idealized women like: Peel off 7
Pounds Fast!, Get Lighter Skin in an Instant!, 7 Yummy Fat Melting Foods, How
to Lose Weight, Get Perfect Skin in 3 Easy Steps. These statements and the idealized
images of women on the cover make Filipino teenaged women feel like they are not
beautiful or pretty enough because they dont look like the ones who are on the covers of
the magazines. This brings them down and causes their mood and self-image to be
lowered. In an attempt to be like the girls they see on the magazines, teenagers tend to
develop eating disorders. Filipino culture almost encourages bulimia among girls,
explains Dr. Maria Teresa Gustilo-Villasor, a clinical psychologist at Makati Medical
Center. Eating allows bulimics to comply with social expectations, while vomiting
allows them to comply with their own ideals of beauty.
This study examines how print media especially women's fashion and lifestyle
magazines impact and affect teenaged womens self-image and self-concept.

City of Manila
UNIVERSIDAD DE MANILA
(Former City College of Manila)
C.M. Palma St., cor. A.J. Villegas St.
Mehan Gardens, Manila

Print Medias Impact on Self-Image of Teenaged Students from Public Colleges

Dear respondent,
This study is about Print Medias Impact on Self-Image of Teenaged Students from
Public Colleges". As part of the requirements for our subject in General Psychology, we would
like you to answer the following questions as honestly as possible. All your information will be
treated with utmost confidentiality. Thank you for your cooperation and time.
Age _____

Course _____________________________

Gender _____

Survey Questionnaire

1. Do you read lifestyle and fashion magazines?

Yes No
2. Which lifestyle and fashion magazines do you read? If you have indicated you do not read
them, please select the magazines you feel you would be most likely to read.
Candy

Marie Claire

Chalk

Maxim

Cosmopolitan

Metro

FHM

Preview

Seventeen

Womens Health

Total Girl

Not mentioned

3. How often do you read magazines?

I don't read magazines
I rarely read magazines
I occasionally read magazines
I regularly read magazines
I always read magazines
4. Do you perceive the models on the magazines as pretty and beautiful?
Yes No
5. Do you want to look like the models on the magazines?
Yes No
6. Do you like yourself less after looking at the models?
Yes No
7. If you were to look like the models would that make you feel more beautiful?
Yes No
8. Would you consider undergoing surgery to look like the models?
Yes No
9. If you were thinner would you consider yourself to be more beautiful?
Yes No
10. Do you like your own body?
Yes No
11. Do you like the way your face looks like?
Yes No
12. Do you feel that you are not physically fit?
Yes No
13. At some point do you want to try the tips in the magazines ("How to lose weight", "How to
have perfect skin", "How to have fairer complexion" etc.)?
Yes No
14. Does your self-esteem and self-concept lower after reading magazines?

Yes No
15. Do you feel dissatisfied with your own body when you see a model on a magazine who has a
good body?
Yes No
16. When you look in a mirror do you like what you see?
Yes No
17. Have you ever intentionally hungered yourself in order to be skinnier?
Yes No
18. Have you ever skipped a meal in an attempt to lose weight?
Yes No
19. Do you exercise to lose weight?
Yes No
20. Have you ever purged after eating a lot because you don't want to gain weight?
Yes No
21. Do you think you have an eating disorder?
Yes No
22. Would you go on a diet to lose weight?
Yes No
23. Do models on the magazines affect your perception of beauty?
Yes No
24. Do you think magazine models should be of all sizes?
Yes No
25. Do you compare yourself to others?
Yes No