#fitspo or #loveyourself? The impact of fitspiration and self-compassion Instagram images on women's body image, self-compassion, and mood. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Slater, Amy; Varsani, Neesha; Diedrichs, Phillippa C.
• Is Part Of: Body image. Volume 22(2017)
• Page Start: 87
• Page End: 96
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Social Media -- Fitspiration -- Self-compassion -- Instagram -- Body image -- Body appreciation; Body image -- Periodicals; Body image -- Research -- Periodicals; Body Image -- Periodicals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.06.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-1445

Abstract

Highlights: Fitspiration images had no impact on body satisfaction or mood. Self-compassion quotes had a positive impact on body satisfaction and mood. Trait thin-ideal internalisation moderated some effects. Self-compassion offers a novel approach to attenuating negative impacts of media. Abstract: This study experimentally examined the impact of exposure to fitspiration images and self-compassion quotes on social media on young women's body satisfaction, body appreciation, self-compassion, and negative mood. Female undergraduate students ( N = 160) were randomly assigned to view either Instagram images of fitspiration, self-compassion quotes, a combination of both, or appearance-neutral images. Results showed no differences between viewing fitspiration images compared to viewing neutral images, except for poorer self-compassion among those who viewed fitspiration images. However, women who viewed self-compassion quotes showed greater body satisfaction, body appreciation, self-compassion, and reduced negative mood compared to women who viewed neutral images. Further, viewing a combination of fitspiration images and self-compassion quotes led to positive outcomes compared to viewing only fitspiration images. Trait levels of thin-ideal internalisation moderated some effects. The findings suggest that self-compassion might offer a novel avenue for attenuating the negative impact of social media on women's body satisfaction.