Perceived effects of body positive social media content and correlations with trait body image

Abstract

Body positive social media content has been described as less detrimental for body image as compared to idealized body-focused social media content. However, little work has explored who finds these posts helpful. This is an important gap, as individuals who are positive towards such content are more likely to engage with it and thus find more of it in their recommended content. The aims of the study were to examine (1) reactions to body positive social media content and (2) their associations with dimensions of body image among young women. A sample of 135 undergraduate women completed an online survey. Participants viewed two different body positive social media posts and for each indicated their reactions on visual analog scales before completing measures of trait body image. One post included only text while the other featured a group of diverse women. Findings revealed that, across dimensions and posts, favorable and positive reactions were more common than negative ones. However, the group image elicited higher ratings of feeling happy, good about one's body, and ok with one's looks, and lower feelings of anxiety and embarrassment. Correlational analyses revealed trait indices of positive body image were associated with higher positive reactions to posts (happy, good about body, OK with looks) and lower negative reactions (embarrassed, anxious, bad about body, motivated to change looks), while indices of poor body image were associated with lower positive and higher negative reactions. Findings suggest body positive social media might be most useful for maintaining positive body image.