IGotchu Covered: Understanding Female Instagram Users' Reliance on Beauty Filters

• Main Authors: Audije, Aubrey A., Carpena, Lara Francesca M., Leonizo, Kaye Ashny Mariana A., Astudillo, Liezl Rillera
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2022
• Subjects: self-enhancement; filters; social media; Instagram; finsta; social comparison; Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2022/paper_lcs/4; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1065&context=conf_shsrescon
• Institution: De La Salle University

The study sought to explicate the influence of female Instagram users' attributes on their dependence on aesthetic enhancers or filters. There are minimal studies involving the actual grounds of beauty enhancement usage, as most studies are concentrated on its effects. Therefore, this study aims to determine the factors that affect a late adolescent female’s tendency to use beauty filters on Instagram, what motivates them in using these beauty enhancers, and the effects of Instagram usage on the desire to enhance their physical appearance. With that said, it is hypothesized that the intensity of social media use, social media awareness, the discrepancy in one's ideal body image, Instagram addiction, self-esteem, the ability to compare oneself with others, and the opinions on social comparison are the significant factors that explain the reliance of female adolescents on beauty enhancements. Results show that there are seven predictors that contribute to the reliance of female Instagram users on beauty filters. Moreover, photo enhancement is one of the motivators that drive females to use beauty filters. Also, the desire to have a ‘socially acceptable’ standard of beauty aids in the intention to use beauty filters. However, the usage of beauty filters enables the participants to gain confidence and feel pretty.