Does the exposure to 'ideal' facial images on Instagram influence facial and bodily satisfaction?

Abstract

Design Randomised controlled trial.

Intervention Undergraduate students aged 18 to 35 years were randomly allocated to either navigate a bespoke Instagram page featuring 'ideal' facial images as judged by five orthodontists (n = 71) or neutral images of nature (n = 61). Participants were allowed to view the Instagram page once and for a duration of five minutes.

Outcome measures The primary outcome was facial dissatisfaction which was measured using the Facial Satisfaction Scale (FSS). Secondary outcomes included: body dissatisfaction, which was measured using the Body Satisfaction Scale (BSS), and overall body and facial dissatisfaction, measured as a sum of scores of BSS and FSS.

Data analysis Data were analysed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate regression analyses.

Results Exposure to 'ideal' facial images on Instagram resulted in significantly lower facial satisfaction scores (-2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -4.32, -0.46 P <0.016), with no significant difference in BSS (-2.74; CI: -5.66, 0.19) and overall scores (-3.49; CI: -6.10, -0.87) when compared to the control group. Based on the multivariate regression analysis, high baseline self-discrepancy scores negatively affected both FSS and BSS.

Conclusions Exposure to 'ideal' facial images on Instagram resulted in an immediate and negative impact on FSS when compared to neutral images of nature. While this study is interesting, further robust research to clarify the effect of various social networking sites on facial and bodily satisfaction remains necessary.