We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
The Effects of Reducing Social Media Use on Body Esteem Among Transitional-Aged Youth.
- Authors
Thai, Helen; Davis, Christopher G.; Stewart, Niall; Gunnell, Katie E.; Goldfield, Gary S.
- Abstract
Introduction. Social media use (SMU) and body image concerns are highly prevalent in youth. Although several studies have shown that high SMU is crosssectionally associated with lower body esteem, experimental evidence is lacking. This pilot study experimentally evaluated the effects of reducing SMU on body esteem among transitional aged youth (TAY) with emotional distress. Methods. Thirty-eight undergraduate students presenting with elevated symptoms of anxiety/depression were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 16), where SMU was restricted to 60 minutes/day, or to the control group (n = 22), where SMU was not restricted. SMU was monitored via screen-time trackers in participants' smartphone submitted daily during baseline (1-week) and intervention (3-week) periods. Baseline and post-intervention measurements were taken to assess appearance and weight esteem as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression as secondary outcomes. Results. A significant group × time interaction emerged indicating that the intervention participants showed a significantly greater increase in appearance esteem over the 4 weeks compared to controls. There was no significant between-group difference on change in weight esteem. A significant group × time interaction emerge on anxiety indicating that intervention participants showed a significantly greater improvement in anxiety over the study period compared to controls. There was no significant between-group difference on change in depressive symptoms. Discussion. Reducing SMU may be a feasible and effective method of improving appearance esteem and reducing anxiety in a high-risk population of TAY with emotional distress; however, more high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm findings.
- Subjects
RESPECT; SOCIAL media; PSYCHOLOGICAL distress; BODY image; RANDOMIZED controlled trials; MENTAL depression; ECOLOGICAL momentary assessments (Clinical psychology)
- Publication
Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, 2021, Vol 40, Issue 6, p481
- ISSN
0736-7236
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1521/jscp.2021.40.6.481