How the Exposure to Beauty Ideals on Social Networking Sites Influences Body Image: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies

Sharing and viewing photos on social networking sites (SNSs) have been identified as particularly problematic for body image. Although correlational research to date has established that SNS use is associated with increased body dissatisfaction, only experimental studies can enhance confidence in the conclusions drawn. For this reason, this systematic review synthesizes data from 43 experimental studies (N = 8637; %F = 89.56; mean age = 21.58 ± 1.78) examining the effect of viewing idealized images (i.e., attractive, thin, and fit) and body positive content on SNSs on body image. Two studies were conducted on adolescents. Each study had slight variations in how the images were presented for each category (e.g., selfies and photos taken by others). The wide variability in experimental stimuli and psychological moderators used in the published research make a systematic review more feasible and meaningful than a meta-analysis. Findings indicate that viewing idealized images on SNSs lead to increased body dissatisfaction among young women and men. State appearance comparison (i.e., engaging in social comparison while viewing images) significantly mediated the effect, whereas trait appearance comparison (i.e., the relatively stable general tendency to engage in social comparison) was a significant moderator. Mixed results were found regarding the exposure to body positive images/captions. Viewing images on SNSs depicting unattainable beauty ideals leads young people to feel dissatisfied about their bodies, with appearance comparison processing playing an important role. More research is required to assess the long-term effects.

Effects of Decentering and Non-judgement on Body Dissatisfaction and Negative Affect Among Young Adult Women

Objectives Mindfulness-based interventions have shown effectiveness in reducing risk factors for disordered eating; however, little is known about mechanisms. This online study evaluated two isolated metacognitive components of mindfulness, adopting a decentered or non-judgemental stance towards internal experiences, respectively, for reducing body dissatisfaction and negative affect. Methods Women (N = 330, Mage = 25.18, SD = 4.44) viewed appearance-ideal media images before listening to a 5-min audio recording that guided them to (a) distance themselves from their experience (decentering), (b) accept their experience without judgement (non-judgement), or (c) rest (active control). Participants reported state body dissatisfaction and negative affect at baseline, post-media exposure, and final assessment. Trait measurements (weight and shape concerns, mindfulness, emotion regulation) were assessed as potential moderators. Participants self-reported engagement and acceptability. Results All groups reported significant reductions in body dissatisfaction and negative affect following the recording (d = 0.15–0.38, p < 0.001), with no between-group differences. Trait measurements did not moderate effects. Conclusions The results suggest rest was as effective as the metacognitive components in ameliorating immediate negative impacts of appearance-related threats. Alternatively, coping strategies spontaneously adopted by the control group may have supplied temporary relief. Findings highlight the importance of including suitable control; further research should investigate when and for whom specific aspects of mindfulness-based interventions may be particularly helpful.

Orthorexia nervosa and dieting in a non-clinical sample: a prospective study

Purpose Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is characterised by excessive attention to a dietary regimen perceived as healthy. A critical factor in the distinction between ON and other eating disorders (EDs) is the dichotomy of quality-versus-quantity of food intake. We investigated whether specific types of diet or dieting frequency are associated with orthorexic features, explored the overlap between ON and EDs symptoms, and examined which constructs are predictive of ON after 6 months. Methods A total of 1075 students (75.1% female, mean age 20.9) completed a set of questionnaires assessing Orthorexia, Eating Disorders, Obsessions and Compulsions, Anxiety and Depression; 358 individuals (79.9 female, mean age 20.9) agreed to participate in the study and completed the same questionnaires after 6 months. Different regression models were defined to investigate our hypothesis. Results Findings suggest that ON is associated with the number and type of diets followed over a lifetime. Moreover, participants with EDs, body dissatisfaction, or a dysfunctional idea of thinness are more likely to report a greater degree of ON features. After 6 months, the best predictors of ON characteristics are the same ON characteristics assessed at the first administration, with a significant role in the ideal of thinness. Conclusions ON is more frequent in individuals with a previous diagnosis of EDs and in individuals who followed a restrictive diet or a vegan/vegetarian one; the number of lifetime diets, beliefs, and behaviors related to the ideals of thinness or body dissatisfaction is common features of ON. Moreover, considering that having ON features in the past is the best ON predictor in the present, we can presume that ON is a construct stable over time. Level of evidence Level IV: Evidence obtained from multiple time series analysis such as case studies. (NB: Dramatic results in uncontrolled trials might also be regarded as this type of evidence).

BERSYUKUR PADA REMAJA PEREMPUAN DARI KELAS EKONOMI MENENGAH YANG MENGALAMI BODY DISSATISFACTION

Bersyukur atau gratitude adalah bentuk apresiasi yang dilakukan oleh individu ketika seseorang melakukan sesuatu yang baik atau membantu. Secara spesifik bersyukur dapat diartikan perasaan bahagia ketika menerima kebaikan atau melihat suatu kebaikan yang terjadi secara alamiah. Bersyukur dapat memberikan manfaat beberapa diantaranya adalah mencegah perasaan negatif, memotivasi adanya peningkatan diri, meningkatkan self-esteem, serta terbuktinya bersyukur memiliki kaitan dengan kondisi kesehatan yang lebih baik. Hal ini bisa jadi bertolak belakang Body Dissatisfaction atau ketidakpuasan terhadap bentuk tubuh. Body Dissatisfaction adalah penialaian negatif terhadap bentuk tubuh yang dimiliki. Remaja yang menghalami Body Dissatisfaction akan berfokus pada hal-hal negatif yang terjadi, mengalami kesulitan untuk melihat hal-hal positif, kelebihan, dan hal-hal apa yang mereka miliki. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui gambaran beryukur pada remaja perempuan dari kelas ekonomi menengah yang mengalami Body Dissatisfaction. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif deskriptif. Alat ukur yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah The Gratitude Questionaire-Six Item Form (GQ-6) yang disusun oleh McCullough et al., (2002)

Self-Compassion And Imagery Rescripting: A Brief Online Intervention To Reduce Body Dissatisfaction in Women

Background: Due to the prevalence of body dissatisfaction, and given that it is a significant risk factor for eating disorders and obesity, understanding the mechanisms of change, and finding new ways on how to reduce body dissatisfaction are important avenues of research. The current study aimed to investigate whether a brief online intervention of imagery rescripting is more effective in reducing state body dissatisfaction in women than the widely used intervention of self-compassion, or a control condition. Methods: One-hundred and twenty-three Australian women with high levels of body dissatisfaction were allocated to one of the three intervention conditions: imagery rescripting, self-compassion, or control. Participants completed a screening questionnaire, a visual analogue scale (VAS) on mood, and a physical appearance state and trait anxiety scale (PASTAS) on state body dissatisfaction before and after a body dissatisfaction inducing mirror task, and again after the intervention. Results: Results showcased a significant decrease in state body dissatisfaction from post-induction to post-intervention for imagery rescripting compared to the control. Conclusion: Imagery rescripting was identified as an effective brief intervention for reducing state body dissatisfaction in women and inspiring body acceptance compared to the control condition. Future studies should investigate the impact of multiple sessions of imagery rescripting for women with high levels of body dissatisfaction.

School-Based Interventions Improve Body Image and Media Literacy in Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Body ideals conveyed by the media and by body comparisons often result in body dissatisfaction, which can cause risky health behaviours and eating disorders, especially in adolescents. We conducted a meta-analytic review of existing school-based interventions designed to enhance media literacy in order to reduce body dissatisfaction and to promote a positive body image. We included controlled trials examining children and adolescents from grade five to nine (age 10–15 years) after a manual search and a comprehensive literature search using PsycINFO, Medline, Web of Science, and CENTRAL. We computed average weighted effect sizes (Hedges’ g) with the help of a random effects model and identified seventeen different programme evaluations with 7392 participants. We found a significantly larger effect on positive body image and media literacy in the intervention compared to control groups. However, heterogeneity was substantial for both outcomes. Results suggest that media literacy interventions have the potential to improve media literacy and reduce body dissatisfaction. Interventions that worked with the principle of induction of cognitive dissonance were the most effective.