According to research, Disney princesses can play a beneficial role in nurturing children’s self-image.
Parents have long grappled with the portrayal of unrealistic body standards in movies, television, and the toy industry, worrying about the impact on their children’s mental health. With Disney princesses often in the spotlight, concerns have centered around their influence on kids’ body esteem.
To shed light on the matter, researchers at UC Davis conducted a study involving 340 children and their caregivers, spanning from 2020 to 2021. The study tracked children from the age of 3 and revisited them one year later to assess any noticeable changes in body esteem.
Body esteem was gauged by caregivers’ assessments of how much their children liked or felt good about their own bodies. Disney princesses were categorized into three body types: thin, average, and above average/heavy, with characters like Jasmine representing thin, and Moana as the example of an average-sized princess.
Body size
The study revealed that the most beloved princesses among the children were Elsa, Moana, and Anna, with each princess’s body size affecting how the young fans felt about their own bodies. Notably, kids who adored princesses classified as having average body sizes, such as Moana, displayed higher body esteem levels.
The researchers attributed these effects to the frequency with which children engage in pretend play as princesses. Intriguingly, they also discovered that kids who favored average-sized princesses tended to be more physically active. Researchers speculated that this might be linked to the more active storylines associated with average-sized princesses in their films.
In contrast, children with favorite princesses characterized as thin did not report significant positive or negative changes in their body image. However, the overall impact of Disney princesses leaned toward a net benefit, as playing with average-sized princesses boosted children’s confidence in their own bodies. This research provides valuable insights into the role of media in shaping children’s perceptions of body image and self-esteem.*
