The impact of #beauty and #self-compassion tiktok videos on young women's appearance shame and anxiety, self-compassion, mood, and comparison processes.

This study examined the impact of exposure to beauty, self-compassion, and travel (control) TikTok videos on young women's face-related appearance shame and anxiety, self-compassion, mood, upward appearance comparisons and thoughts. Undergraduate women (N = 115) were randomly assigned to view one of three compilation TikTok videos on either beauty tips, self-compassion strategies, or travel destinations. Upward appearance comparisons and thoughts were assessed at post-test only given the items related to video exposure; all other measures were assessed at pre- and post-test. Controlling for pre-test measures, results showed that face-related appearance shame and anxiety, and negative mood were higher, whereas self-compassion was lower in the beauty group relative to the travel control and self-compassion groups. Self-compassion was higher in the self-compassion group relative to the travel control. Women in the beauty group reported more upward appearance comparisons and appearance thoughts relative to women in the travel control and self-compassion groups. The self-compassion group reported more appearance thoughts relative to the travel control. Findings contribute to prior research by showing that brief exposure to beauty TikToks may have a negative effect on how young women feel about their appearance, but also how self-compassion videos may help young women feel more compassionate toward themselves.

How exposure to body neutrality content on TikTok affects young women's body image and mood.

Body neutrality aims to encourage a non-judgmental attitude towards the body and prioritize functionality over appearance. This study examined the impact of exposure to TikTok body neutrality content on young women's body image and mood. The sample comprised 189 undergraduate women (Mage = 19.25, SD = 1.98) who were randomly assigned to view one of three compilation TikTok videos on body neutrality, thin ideal, or art. Controlling for pre-test measures, results showed that women in the body neutrality group reported higher functionality appreciation and body satisfaction than women in the thin ideal and art control groups. Higher levels of positive mood and fewer upward appearance comparisons were reported by women in the body neutrality group relative to the thin ideal group. Although women in the body neutrality and thin ideal groups thought about their appearance and what they were wearing whilst viewing the videos, women in the body neutrality group reported that those thoughts were more positive than those in the thin ideal group. Findings demonstrate that brief exposure to body neutrality content on TikTok may induce immediate positive body image and mood in young women whilst providing a useful alternative to the unrealistic beauty standards popularized on such platforms.

A classroom-based pilot of a self-compassion intervention to increase wellbeing in early adolescents.

A Classroom-Based Pilot of a Self-Compassion Intervention to Increase Wellbeing in Early adolescents Abstract Objective:  Our first aim was to examine the effect of a 4-week self-compassion-based intervention on emotional well-being in a school classroom of early adolescents. The second aim was to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of the program within a classroom setting.  Design:  This study was a pre-post pilot design utilizing paired sample  t -tests to examine within-person changes in the outcome measures prior to, and following, the intervention. Bivariate correlations were also used to assess covariation between the pre-to-post change scores in self-compassion and the pre-to-post change scores in the outcome measures. SETTING: The intervention was conducted during a wellbeing class at a culturally diverse secondary school. PARTICIPANTS: The sample comprised 18 students aged 12- to 14-years old ( M age  = 12.44,  SD  = 0.61).  Intervention:  A brief self-compassion-based program, Be Kind to Yourself, Inspire Others, was developed specifically for early adolescents and delivered across four 70- minute lessons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures were self-compassion, resilience, perceived stress, social and general anxiety, and peer and school connectedness. RESULTS: Findings revealed significant increases in self-compassion, resilience, and peer connectedness, and significant decreases in social and general anxiety at posttest, with small to medium effect sizes (Hedges'  g =  0.30-0.67). No significant differences were found for perceived stress and school connectedness. Pre-to-post changes in self-compassion covaried with pre-to-post changes in resilience and peer connectedness. Feasibility and acceptability were high. Findings suggest that a brief, classroom-based self-compassion intervention may be feasible and effective in improving indicators of emotional well-being among early adolescents.

Systematic Review of Digital Interventions for Adolescent and Young Adult Women's Body Image.

Background: A growing number of digital interventions have been developed to address a range of mental health issues including body image. Identifying effective interventions for body image is important given the prevalence of body image concerns and their associated negative outcomes among young women. This review aimed to critically evaluate current evidence on the use of digital interventions for adolescent and young adult women's body image. Methods: A literature search was performed in November 2021 across three databases, PsychINFO, Web of Science and Pubmed to identify studies published with keywords and synonyms of "body image" and "digital interventions" that have been conducted with girls/women aged 10-25 years. Studies were included if they assessed a universal body image intervention delivered through a digital platform (e.g., web-based, mobile phone) and if they reported body image outcomes using validated measures. Two authors independently screened studies extracted data and assessed the quality of studies. Results: Eight of 15 interventions were effective in improving at least one body image outcome from pre-post intervention; however, effect sizes were mostly small-medium, and few effects were maintained at follow-up. Studies were heterogeneous in terms of delivery format, duration, sample characteristics, quality, and outcomes. Discussion: Findings suggest that digitally delivered interventions can effectively improve some body image outcomes in young women. Characteristics of effective studies are discussed and suggestions for future work on intervention development in this field are provided. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021281435, identifier CRD42021281435.

Does #beauty have a dark side? Testing mediating pathways between engagement with beauty content on social media and cosmetic surgery consideration.

Beauty content on social media has grown exponentially, however research has yet to investigate its association with appearance concerns. This study drew on components of the tripartite influence model to test the associations between young women's engagement with beauty content on social media and cosmetic surgery consideration. A sample of 399 undergraduate women aged 17-25years (Mage = 19.36) completed measures of beauty social media engagement, upward appearance comparison, general attractiveness internalization, dysmorphic appearance concerns, and consideration of cosmetic surgery. Path analysis was used to test direct and indirect associations. In line with the tripartite influence model, results supported a serial mediation model that comprised significant paths from beauty social media engagement through in turn, upward appearance comparison, general attractiveness internalization, and dysmorphic appearance concerns, to cosmetic surgery consideration. However, neither general attractiveness internalization nor dysmorphic appearance concerns mediated the link between beauty social media engagement and consideration of cosmetic surgery. Findings provide new insights into the links between engagement with the growing beauty social media trend and cosmetic surgery consideration.

Does a Facebook-enhanced Mindful Self-Compassion intervention improve body image? An evaluation study.

This study evaluates a brief intervention aimed at improving body image. The intervention comprised a Mindful Self-Compassion workshop complemented by a group discussion on Facebook. Young women (Mage = 18.31), screened for body concerns, were allocated by university campus to a 50-minute workshop intervention (n = 42) or a waitlist control (n = 34). Following the workshop, participants in the intervention group utilized self-compassion techniques when experiencing appearance distress and posted about their experiences on a private Facebook group three times per week for two weeks. Findings showed that, relative to control, the intervention group experienced lower upward appearance comparison, social appearance anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and drive for thinness, and higher body appreciation and self-compassion, at posttest and 1-month follow-up. All effects, except those for body dissatisfaction, were held at 3-month follow-up. Additionally, common humanity predicted gains in body appreciation from pretest to posttest. The Mindful Self-Compassion intervention involving a Facebook group may have resonated with young women as it allowed them to share moments of self-compassionate body image experiences in a private and supportive environment.

The effectiveness of self-compassion and self-esteem writing tasks in reducing body image concerns.

This study investigated whether single-session self-compassion and self-esteem writing tasks ameliorate the body image concerns evoked by a negative body image induction. Ninety-six female university students aged 17-25 years (Mage=19.45, SD=1.84) were randomly assigned to one of three writing treatment groups: self-compassion, self-esteem, or control. After reading a negative body image scenario, participants completed scales measuring state body appreciation, body satisfaction, and appearance anxiety. They then undertook the assigned writing task, and completed the three measures again, both immediately post-treatment and at 2-week follow-up. The self-compassion writing group showed higher post-treatment body appreciation than the self-esteem and control groups, and higher body appreciation than the control group at follow-up. At post-treatment and follow-up, self-compassion and self-esteem writing showed higher body satisfaction than the control. The groups did not differ on appearance anxiety. Writing-based interventions, especially those that enhance self-compassion, may help alleviate certain body image concerns.