JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Longitudinal investigation of the association between mHealth app use and attitudes toward one's body is scarce. mHealth apps might shape individuals' body image perceptions by influencing both positive and negative attitudes toward their bodies. Besides, individuals might engage in mHealth apps based on how they feel and think about their bodies.

Objective:

This prospective study examined the bi-directional associations between mHealth app use, body dissatisfaction, and physical self-worth during adolescence.

Methods:

The data were gathered from a nationally representative sample of Czech adolescents (N =2,500; 50% girls; Mage = 13.43; SD = 1.69) in three waves with six-month intervals. We employed the random intercept cross-lagged panel model with a multi-group design to compare genders.

Results:

The results revealed a positive within-person effect of mHealth app use on girls' physical self-worth: increased mHealth app use led to higher physical self-worth six months later (beta = .199, p = .037), with inconsistent effects at the twelfth month (beta = .161, p = .071). No significant association was found between body dissatisfaction and mHealth app use.

Conclusions:

These findings indicate that using mHealth apps is unlikely to have a detrimental impact on adolescents' body dissatisfaction and physical self-worth; instead, they may have a positive influence, particularly in boosting the physical self-worth of adolescent girls.