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Benefit-Seeking or Risk-Taking? Examining the Portrayal of Cosmetic Surgery in Chinese News, 2000–2019

Author

Listed:
  • Shaojing Sun

    (School of Journalism, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • Jinbo He

    (School of Humanities and Social Science, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China)

  • Xiaohui Yang

    (School of Journalism, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • Fan Wang

    (Department of Politics, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

Abstract

Analyzing 311 news articles published in representative Chinese newspapers, this study investigated how cosmetic surgery (CS) was represented in Chinese media from 2000 to 2019. Employing a coding scheme based on prior literature and sampled data, the study analyzed both features of the articles and profiles of the patients in the media. Results showed significant differences in media reporting across issue categories, reporting frames (benefit-focused, risk-focused, neutral), sources of information, drivers for and impacts of having surgeries. Among all the reasons for obtaining CS, boosting career confidence was ranked at the top. Additionally, significant differences in reporting were observed across types of the newspapers, gender of the patients, and time periods of the coverage. Implications of the findings for health promotion and regulation were discussed in reference to the social, cultural, and media context in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Shaojing Sun & Jinbo He & Xiaohui Yang & Fan Wang, 2020. "Benefit-Seeking or Risk-Taking? Examining the Portrayal of Cosmetic Surgery in Chinese News, 2000–2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2020:i:1:p:48-:d:467072
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:wyi:journl:002164 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Peter Kuhn & Kailing Shen, 2013. "Gender Discrimination in Job Ads: Evidence from China," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 128(1), pages 287-336.
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