Beyond the Ideal How Instagram vs Reality Content Shapes Positive and Negative Body Image

Body-positive content on social media has been found to have positive consequences for body image. However, research on the mechanisms underlying this effect is scarce. Based on the tripartite influence model (Thompson et al., 1999) and acceptance model of intuitive eating (Avalos & Tylka, 2006), this study examined the role of four possible mechanisms: appearance-comparison, thin-ideal internalization, body acceptance by others, and internal body orientation. Young women (18-30 years, Mage = 24.42, N = 340) were randomly assigned to view appearance-ideal, body-positive (Instagram vs. reality), or appearance-neutral content. Before and after the manipulation, indicators of negative and positive body image were assessed, as well as the four possible mechanisms under consideration. A series of ANCOVAs and paired sample t-tests revealed that exposure to body-positive content has a positive impact on positive body image compared to the other two conditions. Exposure to body-positive content was also found to result in a decrease of thin-ideal internalization. Moreover, while no significant differences were observed between conditions at posttest, body appreciation by others and internal body orientation showed selective within-condition increases from pretest to posttest in the body-positive condition with effects for internal body orientation limited to one indicator. These findings suggest that reductions in thin-ideal internalization and, to a lesser extent, increases in body appreciation by others and internal body orientation, may be mechanisms underlying the impact of body-positive content on body image.