Digital body image interventions for adult women: A meta-analytic review.

Although many women experience body dissatisfaction, treatment options that prevent the onset of more serious conditions are limited in accessibility. As such, digital interventions may be an appropriate alternative resource to address restricted treatment options. This study provides statistical syntheses of the evidence for digital body image interventions for non-clinical adult women. A systematic literature search identified 19 studies (N = 2424) that tested the effect of a digital body image intervention compared to a control condition. Study results were synthesised using random effects models, and small to medium statistically significant effect sizes indicated that digital interventions were beneficial in increasing overall global satisfaction (g = 0.43) and reducing cognitive body dissatisfaction (g = 0.36). These meta-analytic findings provide evidence for the efficacy of digital body image interventions for non-clinical adult women. Intervention type was not found to be a statistically significant moderator, which may suggest that a range of intervention types can produce similar reductions in body dissatisfaction. Overall, digital body image interventions may be a feasible option to alleviate body dissatisfaction, particularly for women who may be unable to access conventional treatment.

The Relationship between Social Networking Site Use and the Internalization of a Thin Ideal in Females: A Meta-Analytic Review.

Previous research has indicated that exposure to traditional media (i.e., television, film, and print) predicts the likelihood of internalization of a thin ideal; however, the relationship between exposure to internet-based social media on internalization of this ideal remains less understood. Social media differ from traditional forms of media by allowing users to create and upload their own content that is then subject to feedback from other users. This meta-analysis examined the association linking the use of social networking sites (SNSs) and the internalization of a thin ideal in females. Systematic searches were performed in the databases: PsychINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, Communication and Mass Media Complete, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. Six studies were included in the meta-analysis that yielded 10 independent effect sizes and a total of 1,829 female participants ranging in age from 10 to 46 years. We found a positive association between extent of use of SNSs and extent of internalization of a thin ideal with a small to moderate effect size (r = 0.18). The positive effect indicated that more use of SNSs was associated with significantly higher internalization of a thin ideal. A comparison was also made between study outcomes measuring broad use of SNSs and outcomes measuring SNS use solely as a function of specific appearance-related features (e.g., posting or viewing photographs). The use of appearance-related features had a stronger relationship with the internalization of a thin ideal than broad use of SNSs. The finding suggests that the ability to interact with appearance-related features online and be an active participant in media creation is associated with body image disturbance. Future research should aim to explore the way SNS users interact with the media posted online and the relationship linking the use of specific appearance features and body image disturbance.

Use of social networking sites and associations with skin tone dissatisfaction, sun exposure, and sun protection in a sample of Australian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research has indicated that greater exposure to traditional media (i.e. television, film, and print) predicted skin cancer risk factors in adolescents; however, the relationship between social media usage and these outcomes remains unexplored. We examined whether social networking site (SNS) usage, and the particular manner of this use, was associated with skin tone dissatisfaction, sun exposure and sun protection among Australian adolescents. We also explored sex differences in SNS usage related to tanning. METHOD: A total of 1856 South Australian secondary school students completed the Australian School Students Alcohol and Drug 2014 survey. SNS usage related to tanning comprised posting pictures, posting text, viewing pictures, viewing text and liking or sharing posts. RESULTS: Adolescents spent 214.56 minutes, on average, per day using SNSs. Behaviours related to tanning that involved pictures (i.e. viewing pictures, posting pictures, and liking or sharing content) were significantly associated with more skin tone dissatisfaction, more sun exposure and less sun protection. Females performed all SNS-linked behaviours more frequently than did males, with the exception of posting text. CONCLUSION: Australian adolescents spend a considerable amount of time using SNSs, and their behaviours related to tanning on these SNSs are significantly associated with skin cancer risk factors.

Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Socio-Cultural Norms and Sunbathing.

PURPOSE: The tripartite influence model (Thompson et al. 1999) proposes that internalized appearance ideals mediate the relationship between socio-cultural norms endorsing a tanned appearance and sunbathing. This study examined the extent to which socio-cultural norms lead to an idealization of darker skin, which in turn predicts sunbathing. This study also explored whether the relationship between an internalized muscular physique and sunbathing is moderated by sex. METHODS: Adult males (N = 124) and females (N = 175) completed an online questionnaire measuring socio-cultural norms endorsing a tanned appearance, internalization of mesomorphic and tanned ideals, and sunbathing. RESULTS: The internalization of a tanned ideal mediated between norms and sunbathing in both sexes, with a greater internalization of a tanned ideal associated with more frequent sunbathing in both sexes. Moderation analysis revealed that increased sunbathing was associated with a greater internalization of a mesomorphic ideal for males but a lesser internalization for females. A positive association was also found between the internalization of mesomorphic and tanned ideals in males. CONCLUSION: Overall, people who internalize a tanned ideal based on the perceived attitudes of others are more likely to sunbathe. This study extended current literature by suggesting that males internalize a tanned ideal and finding an association between internalized mesomorphic and tanned ideals in males.