An Investigation of Mobile Retouching Behavior and Image Management on Social Media: The Case of Females Aged 25 to 34

This study focuses on women aged 25 to 34 as participants, aiming to understand the motivations, retouching behaviors, and difficulties encountered by users when retouching on their mobile phones. Drawing on Goffman’s dramaturgical theory, the study observes users’ public displays on social media (frontstage) and the retouching behaviors behind the scenes (backstage). Additionally, it analyzes how users manage their image on social media through retouching, the extent of the disparity between online image and real-life image, and explores the impact of followers’ feedback on users. Convenience sampling and snowball sampling were used for participant selection in this study. To achieve the research objectives, the photo-elicitation method of qualitative research was utilized. Participants were asked to provide five retouched portrait photos posted on social media within the past two years during the interview. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted based on an interview guide focusing on these five photos.