To compare, or not to compare? Age moderates the relationship between social comparisons on instagram and identity processes during adolescence and emerging adulthood

Validation of the Appearance-Related Social Media Consciousness Scale with Chinese adolescents and young adults

Research has revealed a negative association between appearance-related social media consciousness (ASMC) and mental health, but the impact of this association in the Chinese population remains understudied. This study examined the psychometric properties of the ASMC scale among Chinese adolescents and young adults and to further investigate the scale's measurement invariance and differences in ASMC across gender and age groups. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine the ASMC scale's factorial structure among Chinese adolescents and young adults, including 1109 adolescents (50.0% boys) aged 12-18 (mean, 14.89) years and 457 young adults (42.5% men) aged 18-25 (mean, 20.75) years. The measurement invariance across gender and age groups, internal consistency and convergent validity were examined. ASMC scale was found to have a unidimensional structure and to be invariant across gender and age groups. It exhibited excellent internal consistency and strong construct validity. Moderate gender differences and pronounced age differences in ASMC scale scores were observed. Our findings support the validity of the ASMC scale as an effective instrument for the measurement of appearance-related social media consciousness experience among Chinese young adults and adolescents. Further study is required to evaluate the status of ASMC as a risk factor for disordered eating and target for preventive interventions within Chinese samples.

Effects of Social Media Social Comparisons and Identity Processes on Body Image Satisfaction in Late Adolescence

One of the important developmental tasks in adolescence and emerging adulthood is the questioning of identity issues, with body image being a prominent concern. In the age of modern technology, many processes of social comparison take place on social media, which serve as an ideal platform for comparison with others. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of identity dimensions, social media use, and social media social comparison, on different domains of body image satisfaction (i.e., appearance, weight, and attribution). An online survey was conducted with 354 young people in Croatia (Mean age = 18.49, SD = 1.44; Women/girls = 78.9%). The results revealed that each of the body image domains had a different pattern of association with identity dimensions and social media social comparison. The contribution of identity dimensions was more important for evaluation attributed to others about one's body appearance, whereas social media use and social comparison were more crucial for thoughts and feelings about appearance and weight satisfaction. Higher identity commitment and exploration were related to more positive thoughts about how others evaluate one's appearance, regardless of social comparison. On the other hand, social media use and social media social comparison were associated with lower satisfaction with appearance and weight.

Adolescents' Experience of Stress: A Focus Group Interview Study with 16-19-Year-Old Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The purpose was to investigate stress among adolescents (16-19 years old) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Focus group (n = 9) interviews with students at upper secondary schools (16-19 years old, n = 41) were conducted in southern Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. The interviews were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. The analysis revealed five categories of experience of stress: (1) School-related stress, (2) Stress in relationships and leisure, (3) How stress manifests itself, (4) Stress can increase performance, and (5) Experiences of counteracting stress. The adolescents in the study experienced stress linked to school and relationships, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic increased stress levels. The adolescents stated that high stress levels were experienced negatively and impaired their ability to perform, while moderate stress could contribute to achieving goals and improving performance. School nurses and other health professionals who meet with adolescents are important to support adolescents experiencing stress.