1. Gregory N. Inzinna, B.A. Long Island University, C.W. Post
Adolescent Instagram Use,
Peer Appearance-Related Feedback, and Body Dysmorphia
Gregory N. Inzinna, B.A.
Long Island University, C.W. Post

2. Social Media Use (Instagram)
Facebook and Instagram
80% of university students use their devices for social networking
7+ hours per day using various forms of digital media, leaving relatively little time for other activities like sleeping and spending time with friends or family
Potentially harmful consequences
Social isolation, impairment of social skills, and reduced self-esteem
Body-image + Self-esteem
Body-esteem
So common that we are unaware

3. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Moderate body dissatisfaction is common during adolescence, high levels can increase risk for developing depression, eating disorders, or body dysmorphia
Extreme concern about perceived defects in physical appearance → significant distress
One or more areas of concern: face, skin, hair, build
Negative beliefs: defects, coloring, shape/size, and proportionality
Responses: Checking mirrors, picking skin, pulling hair, grooming, clothes to camouflage, excessive makeup, seeking reassurances from family and friends

4. Peer Appearance-Related Feedback
Appearance exposure + Instagram
The amount one’s body is on display for others to see
“like” or comment → Peer Appearance-Related Feedback
Peer appearance related feedback pressures adolescents to conform to an appearance ideal and can highlight preexisting insecurities
Increasing body dissatisfaction → low body-esteem → BDD

5. The Current Study PF IU BE
Prior research has focused on Facebook and used mostly female participants
Hypothesis: Peer appearance-related feedback will mediate the relationship between between Instagram use and body-esteem PF IU BE

6. Method
The measure was administered daily to get 1000 participants (1 year with 3 administrators)
Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA)
Peer Appearance-Related Feedback
How often their friends (1) give them tips to get a more beautiful body, (2) give them criticism about their appearance or clothes, (3) give them tips to look sexy, and (4) tell them it is important to look good
Instagram Use
Frequency: Daily to yearly
BESAA and Peer Appearance-Related Feedback were averaged into one composite score

7. Results
Pearson correlations indicated that Instagram use was significantly correlated with peer appearance-related feedback (r = .90) and body-esteem (r = .89), and that peer appearance-related feedback was significantly correlated with low body-esteem (r = .87).
A hierarchical regression analysis indicated that when controlling for peer appearance-related feedback, the correlation between Instagram use and low body-esteem became insignificant
Hypothesis confirmed: Peer appearance-related feedback mediates the relationship between Instagram use and low body-esteem

8. Discussion Significant
High school can be a time of excessive stress and bodily changes for many adolescents
Most adolescents can experience moderate levels of low body-esteem without developing BDD, or factors that lead to BDD
Use of social media might compound existing bodily insecurities (biopsychosocial)
Future research
Explore how biopsychosocial factors are affected by and interact with body-esteem
Increase generalizability by including various forms of social media

9. Discussion (Cont’d) Nonsignificant
Future research should explore why previous findings might not be generalizable,
Do different forms of peer appearance-related feedback that correspond to gender and/or social media outlet?
Inquire into a possible gender differences in preferred social media outlet.

10. Limitations
Participants might not have had Instagram accounts, over-inflating low Instagram use scores
Participants might use other social media outlets much more often than Instagram
Low Instagram use yet high peer appearance-related feedback
Insignificant correlation between Instagram use and peer-appearance related feedback does not necessarily mean that social media use is not a prominent source of peer appearance-related feedback.
Findings not generalizable

11. Questions?