#Ideals, #Bopo, #VisibleDifference: Daily associations between exposure to appearance content and body image among youth with visible differences

On social media appearance-related content is abundant. Exposure to this content can induce both positive and negative body image components in social media users. Social media content containing beauty ideals is often associated with negative components (e.g., body surveillance) (Fioravanti et al., 2022), whereas content containing elements of body positivity is oftentimes, but not solely, related to positive body image components (e.g., appearance satisfaction (Rodgers et al., 2022). This line of research has, however, systematically neglected individuals with a visible difference (=VD). A visible difference can be defined as a 'scar, mark, or condition on the face or body that alters appearance' (e.g., alopecia, amputation, vitiligo,..) (Changing Faces, n.d.). To address this lack of knowledge about the associations between appearance-focussed content and the body image of young individuals with a visible difference (=YIVD), this study conducted a 14-day daily diary study among young (16-30 years old) individuals with a visible difference. Daily exposure to content containing beauty ideals and BoPo elements were assessed, as well as state positive (i.e., appearance satisfaction) and negative (i.e., body surveillance, visible difference surveillance) body image components. Furthermore, the moderating role of protective filtering strategies will be investigated.