| Title | Social media, body image, and the question of causation: Meta-analyses of experimental and longitudinal evidence |
|---|---|
| Authors | de Valle, Madelaine K. , Gallego-Garcia, Maria , Williamson, Paul , Wade, Tracey D. |
| External publication | No |
| Means | Body Image |
| Scope | Article |
| Nature | Científica |
| JCR Quartile | 1 |
| SJR Quartile | 1 |
| JCR Impact | 5.58 |
| SJR Impact | 1.566 |
| Web | https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85120707150&doi=10.1016%2fj.bodyim.2021.10.001&partnerID=40&md5=d52904b3289b01ae4bedc6adb1ce5061 |
| Publication date | 01/12/2021 |
| ISI | 000711350600006 |
| Scopus Id | 2-s2.0-85120707150 |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.10.001 |
| Abstract | This article presents four meta-analyses that can inform causality in the relationship between social media and body image; 24 experimental samples comparing the effect of appearance-ideal social media images to non-appearance-related conditions (n = 3816); 21 experimental samples examining the effect of contextual features (e.g., comments and captions) accompanying appearance-ideal social media images (n = 3482); 14 experimental samples investigating the effect of appearance-ideal images versus other appearance images on social media (n = 2641); and 10 longitudinal samples on social media use and body image (n = 5177). Social media appearance-ideal images had a moderate negative effect on body image (Hedges\' g = -0.61, p < .01), were more damaging in higher-than lower-risk contexts (Hedges\' g = -0.12, p < .01), and were moderately more impactful than other social media appearance images (Hedges\' g = -0.68, p = .05). These effects were smaller but significant with outliers removed. Social media use had a very small, negative correlation with body image longitudinally (Fisher\'s Z = -0.08, p < .001). No significant moderators emerged. Clinicians should consider approaches to managing social media use, particularly exposure to appearance-ideal imagery, in case conceptualisation and psychoeducation for clients at risk of, or experiencing, body image disturbance. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
| Keywords | Meta-analysis; Social media; Social networking site; Body image; Appearance ideals; Fitspiration |
| Universidad Loyola members |
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