I'm no researcher, but I always wonder about factors like how questions are phrased, how much respondents answer questions like they think they are supposed to (especially teens), and even whether you may have caught a teen on a good day (I'm happy!) vs. a bad day (life sucks). Because of all this, I take a lot of market research with a big grain of salt, especially if it's for others in the marketing community, since the goal is ultimately to show there is a market for specific products. With that preamble, the folks at OTX Research sent over their latest report they did with The Intelligence Group (a Ypulse advertiser) on teens' self image. Guess what they found? Teens are happy! But care enough about their looks to spend money on product...

- 81% of teens said they were at least somewhat happy and over a third (36%) say they are very happy

- 61% of teens said they worry about their looks, and 48% said they compare the way they look with friends and peers.

- 50% of teens said looks and physical appearance were very important when it comes to 'being respected by others', but only 33% said it was important for 'being liked by others'

Which leads to...

- The survey found that teens spend an average of $27 per month on health and
beauty products

- Deodorants were the most commonly used products used on a daily basis (84%)

- Whitening toothpastes (55%)

- lip balms (54%)

- perfumes (52%)

- and facial scrubs (44%)

And who is the most important influence when it comes to how teens feel about themselves? Not mom or dad, not even their friends....it's their boyfriend or girlfriend (if they have one). Interestingly, religion comes second:

- Your girlfriend/boyfriend (84%)

- Your religion (82%)

- Your friends (79%)

- Your parents (74%)

- Your teacher(s) (72%)

- TV shows you watch (51%)

- Celebrities (e.g. actors, athletes, musicians) (49%)

- Magazines you read (38%)

- Advertising you see (on TV or elsewhere) (33%)

- Other kids in school (31%)

Some of the results from the last set of questions definitely feel like teens answered how they thought they should answer:

Would you rather...

Get a new car for your HS graduation (96%)
Get plastic surgery for your HS graduation (4%)

Exercise to lose weight (91%)
Take diet pills to lose weight (9%)

Get your College degree (90%)
Win American Idol (10%)

Have a lot of friends (76%)
Have a lot of money (24%)

Feel good (69%)
Look good (31%)

Be told you have a great personality (68%)
Be told you are hot (32%)

Be Comfortable (68%)
Be Fashionable (32%)

Be the smartest kid in school (55%)
Be the best looking kid in school (45%)

Be 10 pounds under normal weight (54%)
Be 10 pounds over normal weight (46%)

Be one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People (53%)
Be one of Forbes Magazine's 50 Richest People (47%)

Posted by anastasia