Selfie-editing, facial dissatisfaction, and cosmetic surgery consideration among Chinese adolescents: A longitudinal study

The present study aimed to explore the predicting role of selfie-editing in cosmetic surgery consideration among adolescents. The influence of facial dissatisfaction on adolescents’ cosmetic surgery consideration was also investigated. Furthermore, we examined the possible mediating effects and the potential gender differences in the mediation model. The model was tested with 767 Chinese adolescents (383 boys and 384 girls, mean age = 15.78 at Time 1, SD = 1.96) using a longitudinal design. Participants completed selfie-editing, facial dissatisfaction, and cosmetic surgery consideration at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. Results showed that the initial selfie-editing and facial dissatisfaction positively predicted the subsequent cosmetic surgery consideration among adolescents over time. Facial dissatisfaction mediated the link from selfie-editing to cosmetic surgery consideration. No gender differences were found in the mediation model. The findings of this study provide new insight into the relationship between selfie activities and cosmetic surgery and have practical implications for reducing cosmetic surgery among adolescents.