Time Spent on Instagram and Body Image, Self-esteem, and Physical Comparison Among Young Adults in Spain: Observational Study (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.42207
• Publication Date: 2022-08-26T16:55:57Z
• Authors: Isabel Alfonso-Fu...; Miguel Angel Alva...; Rafael Sanchez de...; Miguel A Ortega; Melchor Alvarez-Mon; Rosa M Molina-Ruiz
• Keywords: Popularity

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Instagram is a social media platform based on photos and videos that encourages interaction comparison between users. Its growing popularity, especially among young people, has generated interest in the impact its use can have users´ mental health, specifically their self-esteem degree of satisfaction with own body image. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> We aimed to analyze relationships Instagram, both hours daily type content viewed, self-esteem, tendency make physical comparisons, <title>METHODS</title> In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 585 participants aged 18 years 40 years. Individuals who were interested participating but had personal history eating disorders or previously been diagnosed psychiatric disorder excluded. The assessment tools consisted (1) questionnaire collected sociodemographic data variables was created by research team for study; (2) scale Rosenberg; (3) Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised (PACS-R); (4) Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). recruitment evaluation processes carried out January 2021. <title>RESULTS</title> Of participants, 234 (234/585, 40%) used less than 1 hour day, 303 (303/585, 51.8%) 3 48 (48/585, 8.2%) it more per day. found statistically significant differences (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;&amp;lt;.05) groups scores obtained test Rosenberg, PACS-R, BSQ. Participants spent time higher levels dissatisfaction, greater comparisons appearance, lower self-esteem. Moreover, analyzed relationship score different scales types no those mainly viewed professional primarily consumed fashion beauty sport nutrition content. <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> results study indicate associated poorer image mediated compare appearance relation duration use.