Social comparisons on social media: online appearance-related activity and body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls

#Thisis40: Body image among adult women who post selfies

Prior research suggests that using photo-based social media may increase body image concerns among young women. Consumption of versus contribution to social media may moderate this relationship, and the type of content contributed (e.g., self-images or "selfies") may further account for variations. A critical limitation of the extant scholarship is a lack of attention to understudied groups, such as older women. Using a cross-sectional sample of 238 midlife women (Mage = 50.92), this study investigated the relationship between social media behavior, perceived effects of social media use, and body image indices. Results indicated that our sample of midlife women contributed mainly photos of their current setting and family, contrasting with prior work among younger women. Results suggested that the type of content contributed may be more pertinent to body image than social media behavior generally, and highlighted complex relationships. Posting photos broadly was associated only with lower drive for youthfulness. However, selfie posting specifically was associated with greater facial satisfaction as well as greater positive (e.g., connectedness) and negative (e.g., appearance concerns) perceived effects of social media, but not drive for youthfulness. Results suggest that the type of content contributed to social media may be a particularly important factor for body image, and highlight complex relationships potentially influenced by unmeasured factors such as social media use motivations. Together, these findings contribute to a fuller understanding of social media and body image and call for further theoretically-driven work in this area to guide effective prevention resources.

Integrating social media, body shame and psychological distress within the Elaborated Sociocultural Model

The Elaborated Sociocultural Model proposes exposure to sociocultural appearance pressures increases women's internalisation of the thin ideal, their engagement in social comparison and body surveillance, and subsequent body dissatisfaction and disturbances in eating (Fitzsimmons-Craft et al., 2011). Although this model has received some empirical support, it is limited in that it does not currently account for social media as a contemporary source of appearance pressure, nor include additional known outcomes of thin ideal internalisation (i.e., body shame, psychological distress). The current study tested the integration of these variables within the Elaborated Sociocultural Model. Using structural equation modelling with latent variables, the extended model provided acceptable to good fit to the data in a sample of 271 female participants. A latent variable representing sociocultural appearance pressures originating from social media, traditional media, family and peers was found to significantly predict thin ideal internalisation and body image concerns. Furthermore, both social comparison and body surveillance emerged as indirect mediators of the relationship between thin ideal internalisation and body image concerns, which in turn, increased report of restrained eating and psychological distress. Aligning with previous research, this extended model offers a useful and comprehensive framework for investigating women's body image.

Positive Body Image and Psychological Wellbeing among Women and Men: The Mediating Role of Body Image Coping Strategies

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of body image coping strategies in the relationship between positive body image and wellbeing. Three hundred and seventy-two women and three hundred and seventy-seven men completed a questionnaire assessing body appreciation, body appreciation functionality, body compassion, body image coping strategies (appearance fixing, avoidance, positive rational acceptance), self-acceptance and overall psychological wellbeing. Path analysis showed that avoidance significantly mediated the relationship between body appreciation and overall psychological wellbeing among both women and men; its mediating role was confirmed for men's but not for women's self-acceptance. Positive rational acceptance was a significant mediator of the relationship between body compassion and both psychological wellbeing and self-acceptance among men but not among women. These findings show that higher body appreciation is associated with a lower tendency to avoid appearance-related cognitions or thoughts that are interpreted as threatening, with an indirect effect on women's and men's psychological wellbeing. Analogously, but only for men, body compassion is associated with mental activities and self-care behaviors that foster rational self-talk and the acceptance of one's experiences, which, in turn, are linked to higher wellbeing. These findings can help to plan programs aimed at fostering individuals' wellbeing by focusing on their positive body image considering gender differences.

Investigating the Effects of a Physical Education (PE) Kit Intervention on Female Adolescent Body Esteem

It is widely acknowledged that adolescent females are particularly at risk of low body esteem. Low body esteem is associated with poor mental health and other negative outcomes. Interventions to help raise body esteem could have a considerable impact, especially if the intervention is low cost, easy to implement, and scalable. We investigated the efficacy of an intervention where participants could choose their clothes to wear during a physical education lesson (PE). PE is a context associated with low body esteem, a finding that is particularly evident among females. We hypothesized that body esteem would improve with choice. To show that body esteem does not randomly change, we tested its stability when assessed in a test-retest design when completed in a classroom setting, hypothesizing that body esteem would be stable. Participants (n = 110; Age M = 14.9 years; SD = 0.68 years) completed a 14-item body esteem scale eight times: (a) wearing the school uniform in a classroom and (b) during a PE lesson on two occasions in each context within a week. This was repeated at the re-test, which was separated by a two-week gap. The intervention was implemented and students were given a choice of PE kit and could wear their own (non-designer) clothes. The findings indicate that the choice of PE kit intervention was associated with improved body esteem in a PE context but was stable in a classroom context, which we hypothesized to be stable. We argue that this low-cost and scalable intervention represents a useful starting point for helping to support females with low body esteem among a potentially vulnerable population.

Toward an Integrated Consideration of 24 h Movement Guidelines and Nutritional Recommendations

While physical activity, sleep and sedentary behaviors are almost always considered independently, they should be considered as integrated human behaviors. The 24 h Movement approach proposes a concomitant consideration of these behaviors to promote overall health. Not only do these behaviors impact energy expenditure, but they have also been shown to separately impact energy intake, which should be further explored when considering the entire integration of these movement behaviors under the 24 h movement approach. After an evaluation of the prevalence of meeting the 24 h Movement and dietary recommendations, this review summarizes the available evidence (using English publications indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE) regarding the association between the 24 h Movement Guidelines and eating habits. Altogether, the results clearly show the beneficial impact of promoting the 24 h guidelines simultaneously, highlighting that the higher the number of respected movement recommendations, the better eating behaviors in both children and adults. Importantly, our results point out the importance of emphasizing the need to reach sedentary guidelines for better eating habits. Movement and dietary behaviors appear closely related, and giving recommendations on one might impact the other. Combining the 24 h Movement with dietary Guidelines might be more efficient than promoting them separately in public health strategies.

Appearance satisfaction mediates the relationship between recreational screen time and depressive symptoms in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Research suggests there is an association between high levels of recreational screen time and depression among adolescents; however, mechanisms driving this association remain unknown. The present study examined appearance and weight satisfaction and disordered eating behaviors as mediators in the relationship between recreational screen time and depressive symptoms in adolescents.

METHOD

Longitudinal data on screen time, depressive symptoms, disordered eating behaviors, and appearance and weight satisfaction from 304 adolescents (194 females, M_age  = 13.40) were analyzed through a moment structure model.

RESULTS

Results revealed appearance dissatisfaction mediated the direct effect of recreational screen time on depressive symptoms (Estimate = 0.48, SE = .18, 95% CI [0.12, 0.84]), and that recreational screen time was significantly related to lower appearance satisfaction (Estimate = -0.06, SE = .02, 95% CI [-0.10, -0.01]), which was significantly predictive of more severe depressive symptoms (Estimate = -1.49, SE = .62, 95% CI [-2.71, -0.28]).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that modulating screen time may be an efficacious strategy to reduce appearance dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms during adolescence.

Effects of social media on body dissatisfaction in junior high school girls in Japan

AIMS

Body dissatisfaction (BD) is a serious problem related to the incidence of eating disorders. Social media (SM) use is known to be associated with BD. With a view to preventing the incidence of eating disorders, this study aimed to investigate the association between SM and BD, particularly, the role of SM in the encouragement of thinness and its relationship with adolescent girls' BD.

METHODS

Junior high school girls aged 12-15 in Japan completed the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), Eating Attitudes Test-26, Bulimic Investigatory Test Edinburgh, Depression Self-Rating Scale for Children, and SM usage. Participants were classified into two groups based on their BSQ cut-off score.

RESULTS

Overall, 161 students were recruited (44 participants with BD; 117 without BD). The BD group used SM more than the non-BD group (χ² (1) = 4.61, p = .032). The frequency of following SM accounts related to thinness was significantly higher in the BD group than in the non-BD group (χ² (1) = 7.76, p = .005). The association between BD and following SM accounts focused on thinness was the most important (adjusted OR = 3.82; 95 % CI: 1.05-13.89).

CONCLUSIONS

The risks of SM use increasing BD in adolescent girls should be considered to prevent mental disorders, including eating disorders.

The neural correlates of socio-cognitive factors and eating disorders in young people: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Although the primary aetiology of Eating Disorders (ED) remains unknown, research suggests a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and cultural/environmental factors. This paper aims to systematically review the literature on neuroimaging studies that measure socio-cognitive factors, in the context of body dissatisfaction and EDs in young people. Specifically, our aim was to identify patterns in the findings linked to social media-type behaviours.

METHODS

The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. 799 papers were identified in the database search and 38 studies were selected based on exclusion and inclusion criteria. Selected studies were assessed using the National Institute of Health study quality assessment tool.

RESULTS

Findings point to state-related impairments in inhibitory control and salient emotional processing. Anorexia Nervosa(AN) showed impaired set-shifting abilities, working memory and decision making, while altered activation in attention networks and associated difficulties with conflict resolution were seen for Bulimia Nervosa(BN) and Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders(OSFED). AN and BN also demonstrated altered sensitivity to food-related stimuli in striatal regions, suggesting aberrant top-down emotional-cognitive control. ED participants also show deficits in body representation, impaired control over social behaviours and altered integration of visual and body perception.

DISCUSSION

These findings support the notion that socio-cognitive dysfunctions in ED are underpinned by a distributed network of structural and functional brain changes which influence the way young people with ED interact with and respond to social media, and ultimately places at them at increased risk for body image disturbances. This Review was registered with the PROSPERO International Register of Systematic Reviews, Registration number CRD42021270696.

The Perfect Storm: A Developmental-Sociocultural Framework for the Role of Social Media in Adolescent Girls' Body Image Concerns and Mental Health

In this theoretical review paper, we provide a developmental-sociocultural framework for the role of social media (SM) in adolescent girls' body image concerns, and in turn, depressive symptoms and disordered eating. We propose that the features of SM (e.g., idealized images of peers, quantifiable feedback) intersect with adolescent developmental factors (e.g., salience of peer relationships) and sociocultural gender socialization processes (e.g., societal over-emphasis on girls' and women's physical appearance) to create the "perfect storm" for exacerbating girls' body image concerns. We argue that, ultimately, body image concerns may be a key mechanism underlying associations between adolescent girls' SM use and mental health. In the context of proposing this framework, we provide empirical evidence for how SM may increase adolescent girls' body image concerns through heightening their focus on (1) other people's physical appearance (e.g., through exposure to idealized images of peers, celebrities, and SM influencers; quantifiable indicators of approval); and (2) their own appearance (e.g., through appearance-related SM consciousness; exposure to idealized self-images; encouraging over-valuing of appearance; and peer approval of photos/videos). Our framework highlights new avenues for future research on adolescent girls' SM use and mental health, which recognize the central role of body image.

Body image and health-related behaviors among fitspirit participants

Background

Body image variables such as body size perception (BSP) and body size dissatisfaction (BSD) can influence health-related behaviors. However, few studies have investigated these body image variables in adolescent girls participating in a physical activity intervention. Therefore, the study objectives were to examine the 1) associations between health-related behaviors (physical activity, screen-time, eating habits and sleep duration) and BSP and BSD among girls participating in FitSpirit, a physical activity intervention for girls; and 2) influence of weight control practices on the association between health-related behaviors and BSP and BSD.

Methods

This cross-sectional study assessed a sample of 545 adolescent girls (mean age: 15.0±1.5 years) from 240 schools. Body mass index, health-related behaviors, perceived actual body size and desired body size variables were self-reported and collected via an online questionnaire at the end of the FitSpirit intervention. A negative BSP score [perceived actual body size – calculated BMI z-score] indicates an underestimation of body size. A positive BSD score [perceived actual body size – desired body size] indicates a desire to reduce body size. A multiple linear regression analysis examined the effects of age, zBMI and health behaviors on BSP and BSD. A second multiple linear regression analysis examined the independent associations between BSP and BSD by weight control practice. The linear relationships between BSP and BSD were evaluated with Pearson’s correlations.

Results

Underestimation and dissatisfaction of body size are more prevalent in participants living with overweight/obesity. Screen-time and sleep duration were independently associated with BSP score (Beta=0.02; P<0.05 and Beta=-0.07; P<0.05, respectively), whereas only screen-time was associated with the BSD score (Beta=0.07; P<0.001). Physical activity was independently associated with the BSP score only in participants trying to control (maintain) their weight (Beta=-0.18; P<0.05).

Conclusions

Body size overestimation and dissatisfaction are associated with health-related behaviors, specifically with more screen-time and less optimal sleeping habits. Physical activity level does not appear to be associated with body image in girls engaged in a physical activity intervention and who want to lose or gain weight. Health promotion interventions could include screen-time and sleep components as they may influence body image.

Focus on Self-Presentation on Social Media across Sociodemographic Variables, Lifestyles, and Personalities: A Cross-Sectional Study

Upward social comparison and aspects of self-presentation on social media such as feedback-seeking and strategic self-presentation may represent risk factors for experiencing negative mental health effects of social media use. The aim of this exploratory study was to assess how adolescents differ in upward social comparison and aspects of self-presentation on social media and whether these differences are linked to sociodemographic variables, lifestyle, or personality. The study was based on cross-sectional data from the "LifeOnSoMe" study performed in Bergen, Norway, including 2023 senior high school pupils (response rate 54%, mean age 17.4, 44% boys). Nine potentially relevant items were assessed using factor analysis, and latent class analysis was used to identify latent classes with distinct patterns of responses across seven retained items. The retained items converged into one factor, called "focus on self-presentation". We identified three groups of adolescents with a low, intermediate, and high focus on self-presentation. Associations between identified latent classes and covariates were assessed using regression analyses. Being a girl, higher extraversion, lower emotional stability, more frequent alcohol consumption, and having tried tobacco were associated with membership in the high-focus group. These results suggest some characteristics that are associated with a higher focus on self-presentation and that could inform targeted interventions.

Incorporating social media and muscular ideal internalization into the tripartite influence model of body image: Towards a modern understanding of adolescent girls' body dissatisfaction

The tripartite influence model stipulates that appearance pressures from three sources (family, peers, traditional media) lead adolescent girls to internalize a thin appearance ideal and engage in social appearance comparisons, resulting in body dissatisfaction (Thompson et al., 1999). Social media is a modern source of appearance pressure and, increasingly, adolescent girls desire an appearance that is both thin and muscular. The current study of U.S. adolescent girls (n = 543, M_age = 15.58, 49.17% Latina, 28.18% White, 8.66% Black, 7.55% Asian, 6.45% multiracial/another race/ethnicity) incorporates social media appearance pressures and muscular ideal internalization into the tripartite influence model using structural equation modeling. Findings provided support for this adapted model: family, peers, traditional media, and social media contributed to body dissatisfaction. All appearance pressure sources were associated with appearance esteem via thin ideal internalization. Peer and social media pressures were both related to greater muscular ideal internalization, which was not significantly associated with appearance esteem. Social media was the only source of pressure associated with appearance esteem through both thin ideal internalization and body comparison. Findings highlight adolescent girls' pressure to look both thin and muscular, as well as the role of social media as a prominent source of appearance socialization.

The Importance of Patient Mindset: Cosmetic Injectable Patient Experience Exploratory Study-Part 1

Background

To meet the needs of each individual cosmetic injectable patient, focus is moving toward a detailed, patient-centered, holistic consultation with pretreatment exploration of the patient's mindset. The Cosmetic Injectables Patient Experience Exploratory Study (CIPEES) was developed to explore patient motivation, mindset, engagement, and factors impacting the patient-practitioner relationship.

Objectives

In order to best meet the needs of individual aesthetic patients, the authors examine the variability and importance of mindset factors in patients seeking cosmetic injectables.

Methods

A study was conducted through an online survey. Participants were asked to respond to a series of statements concerning their thoughts and feelings around appearance, treatment goals, and motivating factors. Participants were asked to select one of the following: "describes me well," "somewhat describes me," or "does not describe me."

Results

In total, 1269 participants completed the relevant survey question. Respondents were 95.6% female and 4.4% male, with ages ranging from 18 to > 65 years old (median 33 years old). Responses were also analyzed according to age group. Data analysis revealed a majority of respondents seeking natural results, with a 15%-20% minority considering a "done" look to be acceptable or even ideal. High numbers of respondents reported being critical of their own appearance and concerned about a specific feature to be "fixed."

Conclusions

Exploring the nuances of patient mindset will assist practitioners in meeting the unique needs of each patient and may also help them to avoid treating patients whose requirements or expectations are outside their circle of competence.

The Moderating Effects of Social Media Activities on the Relationship Between Effort-Reward Imbalance and Health and Wellbeing: A Case Study of the Oil and Gas Industry in Malaysia

Background

Social media activities affect every aspect of human life, be it personal, social or professional. Previous studies have confirmed the role of social media in affecting health in terms of releasing stress and providing social support. Increased occupational health disorders and increased time spent on social media activities motivate us to investigate this phenomenon in the context of occupational health. Therefore, the objective of this study is to measure the effects of social media activities related to personal and social life as well as work-life on health and wellbeing of office employees, on their job efforts and job rewards, and in moderating the effect of effort-reward imbalance on health and wellbeing.

Methods

Initially, to develop constructs related to social media activities, web-based structured interviews were conducted with five office employees working in the oil and gas industry for the last 5 years. Then, using an online questionnaire survey, data was collected from 424 office employees working in the oil and gas industry in Malaysia. Using statistical software for social science (SPSS) and Smart PLS, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to identify reliability and validity (discriminant validity, convergent validity and composite validity) of the constructs. Following this, path analysis was conducted and the moderating effects were identified.

Results

Social media activities related to work-life decrease health and wellbeing by 11% and weaken the negative effect of effort-reward-imbalance on health and wellbeing by 17.6% at a 1% level of significance. The results of social media activities related to personal and social life strengthen the negative effect of effort-reward imbalance on health and wellbeing by 12% and negatively affects health and wellbeing and job rewards by 13, 55%, respectively. The direct effect of effort-reward imbalance and job efforts is significantly negative on health and wellbeing by 59 and 10%, respectively.

Conclusion

It is concluded that social media activities of the office employees significantly moderate the effect of effort-reward imbalance on health and wellbeing and intervene in job rewards in the organizations. Hence, the effect of social media activities reduces the health and wellbeing of office employees.

Predictors of Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery: Instagram Images-Based Activities, Appearance Comparison and Body Dissatisfaction Among Women

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to test a model in which Instagram images-based activities related to self, friends, and celebrities were associated with acceptance of cosmetic surgery via Instagram appearance comparison and body dissatisfaction. We predicted that Instagram use for images-related activities involving celebrities and self (but not friends) was associated with acceptance of cosmetic surgery both directly and indirectly.

METHODS

The study participants were 305 Italian women (mean age, 23 years). They completed a questionnaire containing the Instagram Image Activity Scale, the Instagram Appearance Comparison Scale, the Body Shape Questionnaire-14, the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale. A path analysis was performed in which the Instagram images-based activities were posited as predictors of the Instagram appearance comparison, body dissatisfaction and acceptance of cosmetic surgery, respectively.

RESULTS

We found that only image-based activities related to celebrities and self were significantly related to acceptance of cosmetic surgery, whereas friends' Instagram-related activities were not significantly related to this criterion variable. Moreover, the indirect effect of both Instagram self- and celebrities-images activities on acceptance of cosmetic surgery through Instagram appearance comparison and body dissatisfaction was significant. Friends' Instagram images-related activities were not associated with acceptance of cosmetic surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these findings provide information about the role that activities carried out on Instagram, appearance comparison and body dissatisfaction, play on the acceptance of surgery for aesthetic reasons among women. The study highlighted the importance for surgeons to consider some psychological aspects and the influence of sociocultural factors on the interest for cosmetic surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Processing Body Image on Social Media: Gender Differences in Adolescent Boys' and Girls' Agency and Active Coping

Although scholars continue to debate the influence of social media on body image, increased social media use, especially engaging in appearance-related behaviors may be a potential risk factor for body dissatisfaction in adolescents. Little research has investigated how adolescents process appearance-related content and the potential strategies they use to protect body image perceptions on social media. To investigate coping strategies used by adolescents, four qualitative focus groups were conducted with 29 adolescents (23 girls) aged 15–16 years (M = 15.31, SD = 0.47) in mixed-gender Irish secondary schools. Thematic analysis revealed that adolescents employed many different behavioral strategies such as avoiding negative content and selecting positive content. Cognitive processing strategies such as critically evaluating body-related content, psychologically distancing from and positively reframing challenging content were also used, although less frequently. Boys appeared to exhibit greater positive agency over their bodies and social media use and tended to use more active coping styles than girls. Efforts to promote body image on social media such as body positive pages and exposing artificial social media content were considered limited in their effectiveness.