Effects of female videogame character body-idealization exposure

Abstract

Video games are a multibillion-dollar industry that has been researched scantily when it comes to body image effects. Much of the existing literature on video games focuses on aggression effects and has minimally expanded to explore other effects. This study expands upon the current literature by exploring body image perception and self-esteem effects from idealized character body game play. Factors affecting these responses were also investigated. A lab-based experiment was conducted using 36 participants from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication Subject pool. Only female participants were used. Results indicated that participants experienced fewer issues with weight concern when playing the idealized game character compared to the less idealized character. However, the manipulation check was only marginally significant and cell sizes were small, so the pattern found is underpowered and unreliable. Implications for the video game industry practitioners and directions for future research are discussed.