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Preadolescents’ Reliance on and Internalization of Media Appearance Ideals: Triggers and Consequences

The present three-wave panel study (N = 973, X ¯ age = 11.14) sought to advance the current literature on media internalization in preadolescence by examining triggers and consequences related to preadolescents’ media internalization and use of media for appearance information. We sought to examine whether (a) media internalization and use of media for appearance information could be explained by pubertal timing and peer appearance criticism, and (b) such media internalization and use of media for information could foster dysfunctional body image investment. Structural equation analyses showed that early maturation relative to peers and peer appearance criticism predicted preadolescents’ use of media for appearance information and media internalization, 6 months later. Such media use, in turn, predicted preadolescents’ development of dysfunctional appearance beliefs, 6 months later. These results highlight the importance for future studies to examine whether preadolescents’ reliance on appearance media stems from their need to cope with current body concerns.