Social networking sites (SNS) like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter have been integrated into Americans' lives and facilitated social engagement, leading to self-presentation effects where individuals emphasize desirable versions of themselves. The rise of photo editing applications reflect this desire for ideal self-representation. McGovern et al. (2022) highlighted the need to study the effects of social media usage and photo editing on identity and self-image, suggesting research be conducted on the relationship between photo investment, manipulation behaviors, and variables like appearance dissatisfaction, body surveillance, and perfectionism. This study utilized a revised Self-Photo Manipulation Scale to explore correlations between various editing behaviors and potential correlates, including concerns about body size and facial appearance. Findings are expected to reveal significant gender differences and also relationships between photo investment and editing and issues such as body surveillance, physical appearance comparisons and dissatisfaction, and perfectionism, ultimately aiding in developing effective interventions for photo editing behaviors.
