The Short Version
Peer-reviewed longitudinal research does link Disney princess engagement to body esteem outcomes and thin-ideal internalization in young girls, lending substantial support to the claim's core direction. However, the strongest studies measure gender-stereotypical behavior and body esteem rather than "beauty standards perceptions" as a discrete construct. Effects also vary depending on which princess a child prefers — newer, more diverse characters like Moana are associated with neutral or positive outcomes — making the blanket framing of the claim overly broad.