A comic-based body image intervention for adolescents in semi-rural Indian schools: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lewis-Smith, Helena; Hasan, Farheen; Ahuja, Latika; White, Paul; Diedrichs, Phillippa C.
• Is Part Of: Body image. Volume 42(2022)
• Page Start: 183
• Page End: 196
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Body image -- India -- Adolescents -- Intervention -- School -- Randomized controlled trial -- Comic; Body image -- Periodicals; Body image -- Research -- Periodicals; Body Image -- Periodicals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.05.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-1445

Abstract

Abstract: Adolescents in India experience body dissatisfaction, however, empirically supported interventions are lacking. This paper describes the protocol for the development, acceptability testing, and cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a six-session comic-based intervention, which aims to improve body image and related outcomes among adolescents in semi-rural Indian schools. If found to be acceptable and effective, UNICEF will disseminate the intervention across schools in eight states of India. The acceptability study will be conducted with 24 students in Classes 6–8 (age 11–14) and nine teachers from Hindi-medium government schools using interviews and focus groups. The subsequent RCT will be conducted with 2400 students, with schools randomized to either the comic-based intervention or lessons-as-usual (control) groups. The primary outcome is body esteem, and secondary outcomes are disordered eating, appearance ideal internalization, body-image-related life disengagement, self-esteem, negative affect, and positive affect. Additional exploratory outcome measures are skin colour dissatisfaction, body hair dissatisfaction, appearance-based teasing, and endorsement of traditional gender roles. These outcomes will be examined at three timepoints: baseline ( T1 ), 1 week-post-intervention ( T2 ), and 12-weeks follow-up ( T3 ). Analyses will compare outcomes in the intervention with the control group. This will be the first study to evaluate a body image intervention for adolescents in semi-rural Indian schools. Highlights: Indian adolescents experience body dissatisfaction, but interventions are lacking. Protocol for a school comic-based body image intervention in semi-rural India. Describes intervention development, acceptability testing, and the efficacy trial. A key strength is the rigorous design, including using validated Hindi measures. If effective, the intervention will be disseminated across eight states of India.