Exploring positive embodiment as a protective factor against negative impacts of social media use

Abstract

A growing body of research describes the negative outcomes associated with social media use such as body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and mood disturbances. The recency of these platforms is a barrier to understanding the mechanisms that produce these outcomes, and little has been done to investigate what may protect against these consequences. The current study aimed to explore how positive embodiment is associated with other indices of positive and negative body image, and how varying levels of positive embodiment are associated with features of social media use. Results found moderate-to-strong relationships between dimensions of positive embodiment and body appreciation, and moderate-to-strong relationships between features of body dissatisfaction and positive embodiment. Women with high levels of positive embodiment were also found to engage in photo manipulation and appearance comparison less frequently, and embodiment was found to weaken the impact of photo manipulation and frequency of engaging in appearance comparisons on body dissatisfaction. Additionally, women with high embodiment possessed higher rates of peer, commercial, and celebrity media literacy. Participants also spoke about the extent to which features of positive embodiment have directed more adaptive practices when engaging with social media use.--Author's abstract