Faculty Sponsor(s)
Tanya Tompkins and Kiki Fornero
Subject Area
Psychology
Description
Limited research has evaluated comments' effects on social media posts. Prior investigations have narrowly focused on negative body image measures after viewing idealized bodies. We extended this work to examine the impact of non-ideal images among 557 cis-gender women and 49 gender-diverse individuals (MAge=23.49). Participants were randomly assigned to one of eight conditions in the 2 (time:pre/post) X 2 (image: deal/non-ideal) X 4 (comment:no comment, reinforcing, challenging, reinforcing+challenging comment) mixed-model design. After completing pre-test measures, participants viewed 13 Instagram-like images standardized in a pilot study to be similar in age, attractiveness, and photo quality, but differing in body shape/size. Comments were sourced from public Instagram accounts. Unexpectedly, while viewing ideal images with reinforcing comments did not worsen body dissatisfaction, viewing them with challenging comments (alone or with reinforcing comments) also did not provide a relief effect. Non-ideal images slightly improved mood and engagement, particularly when accompanied by challenging comments, but did not decrease negative mood or boost body appreciation. Evidence of worsened body dissatisfaction was found for those viewing non-ideal images accompanied by reinforcing+challenging comments. There was no impact on internalized weight stigma. Future research will explore potential moderators of the effects observed. Qualitative methods will provide deeper insights.
Recommended Citation
Porter, Rosemary and Lingmai, Katie, ""All Hail the Real Queens of the Universe”: The Impact and Lived Experience of Social Media On Body Dissatisfaction and Mood." (2024). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 9.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2024/all/9
"All Hail the Real Queens of the Universe”: The Impact and Lived Experience of Social Media On Body Dissatisfaction and Mood.
Limited research has evaluated comments' effects on social media posts. Prior investigations have narrowly focused on negative body image measures after viewing idealized bodies. We extended this work to examine the impact of non-ideal images among 557 cis-gender women and 49 gender-diverse individuals (MAge=23.49). Participants were randomly assigned to one of eight conditions in the 2 (time:pre/post) X 2 (image: deal/non-ideal) X 4 (comment:no comment, reinforcing, challenging, reinforcing+challenging comment) mixed-model design. After completing pre-test measures, participants viewed 13 Instagram-like images standardized in a pilot study to be similar in age, attractiveness, and photo quality, but differing in body shape/size. Comments were sourced from public Instagram accounts. Unexpectedly, while viewing ideal images with reinforcing comments did not worsen body dissatisfaction, viewing them with challenging comments (alone or with reinforcing comments) also did not provide a relief effect. Non-ideal images slightly improved mood and engagement, particularly when accompanied by challenging comments, but did not decrease negative mood or boost body appreciation. Evidence of worsened body dissatisfaction was found for those viewing non-ideal images accompanied by reinforcing+challenging comments. There was no impact on internalized weight stigma. Future research will explore potential moderators of the effects observed. Qualitative methods will provide deeper insights.
