Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Dermatology
Date Submitted: Dec 27, 2022
Open Peer Review Period: Dec 27, 2022 - Feb 21, 2023
Date Accepted: Feb 19, 2023
Date Submitted to PubMed: Aug 26, 2023
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Unhelpful social media use? Investigating the role of upwards comparisons and self-compassion on stigma in people with acne
ABSTRACT
Background:
Use of image-laden social media is hypothesised as being implicated in psychological distress in individuals with conditions affecting their appearance. However, relatively little is known about the mechanisms involved in this relationship.
Objective:
The present cross-sectional study examines the relationship between photo-orientated social media use and feelings of stigmatisation in adults with acne, and tested whether upwards skin comparisons mediate, and self-compassion moderates, this relationship.
Methods:
Adults (N=650) with acne symptoms completed online measures of social media use (daily Facebook/Instagram use, Facebook function use), self-compassion, skin-appearance comparisons, and internalised stigmatisation.
Results:
Moderated-mediation and mediation analyses indicated that there was a significant indirect effect of Facebook photo use on stigmatisation, mediated by upwards appearance comparisons (estimation of indirect effect = 11.03, SE = 5.11, [95% CI 1.19 to 21.12]). There was no significant relationship between Instagram use and feelings of stigmatisation (estimation of indirect effect = .0002, SE = .005, [95% CI -.011 to .009]), yet upwards appearance comparisons predicted feelings of stigmatisation (B = .99, p<.001). Self-compassion did not moderate the indirect or direct relationships between photo-orientated social media use and stigma. However, self-compassion was negatively correlated with upwards appearance comparisons and feelings of stigmatisation in both Facebook and Instagram users.
Conclusions:
The way that individuals engage with social media, and in particular make appearance comparisons, should be considered when working with individuals with skin-related distress. Interventions aimed at boosting self-compassion and reducing appearance comparisons may provide avenues for protecting against feelings of stigma.
Citation
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Copyright
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