ArticleJMIR formative research2023
Time Spent on Instagram and Body Image, Self-esteem, and Physical Comparison Among Young Adults in Spain: Observational Study.
Article in JMIR formative research, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The impact of advertising on women's self-perception: a systematic review.Frontiers in psychology · 2024Pooled it
- Efficacy and Tooth Sensitivity of Low- Versus High-Concentration Hydrogen Peroxide for In-Office Bleaching: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Journal of esthetic and restorative dentistry : official publication of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry ... [et al.] · 2026Trial
- Influence of digital social networking platforms on mental health and social media addiction.Discover mental health · 2026Article
- The impact of social media addiction on sexual desire: an observational study.BMC psychology · 2026Observational
- TikTok and Instagram as Putative Social Media in Promoting Healthy Eating Habits in Youths At-Risk for Eating/Feeding Disorders and Body Image Dissatisfaction.Brain sciences · 2026Article
- Association of Body Image, Body Weight and Social Media Use: A Narrative Review of Observational and Experimental Evidence of the Last Decade.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- The moderating roles of social comparison in the relationship between Instagram reels use and mental health outcomes: a cross-sectional study in Oman.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Teenage Body Image Perception, Body-shaping Behavior, and Body Composition With Respect to Use of "Fitspiration": Exploratory Investigation Study.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
- Unveiling Social Media Content Related to ADHD Treatment: Machine Learning Study Using X's Posts over 15 Years.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Key factors in supporting adolescents to achieve high self-esteem and a positive body image: A qualitative community-based study.PloS one · 2025Article
- Influence of Nutrition, Lifestyle Habits, and Socio-Demographic Determinants on Eating Disorder Symptoms in the Spanish Young Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Nationwide Survey.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2024Article
- The Portrayal of Cesarean Section on Instagram: Mixed Methods Social Media Analysis.JMIR formative research · 2024Article
- Exploring the Relationship Between Instagram Use and Self-Criticism, Self-Compassion, and Body Dissatisfaction in the Spanish Population: Observational Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2024Observational
- Psychometric properties of the arabic translation of the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised (PACS-R) in adults.BMC psychology · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundInstagram is a social media platform based on photos and videos that encourages interaction and comparison between users. Its growing popularity, especially among young people, has generated interest in the impact its use can have on users´ mental health, specifically on their self-esteem and degree of satisfaction with their own body image.
objectiveWe aimed to analyze the relationships between the use of Instagram, both the hours of daily use and the type of content viewed, and self-esteem, tendency to make physical comparisons, and satisfaction with body image.
methodsIn this cross-sectional study, we recruited 585 participants aged between 18 years and 40 years. Individuals who were interested in participating but had a personal history of eating disorders or had previously been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder were excluded. The assessment tools consisted of (1) a questionnaire that collected sociodemographic data and Instagram use variables and was created by the research team specifically for this study; (2) the self-esteem scale by Rosenberg; (3) Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised (PACS-R); and (4) Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). The recruitment and evaluation processes were carried out in January 2021.
resultsOf the participants, 234 (234/585, 40%) used Instagram less than 1 hour a day, 303 (303/585, 51.8%) used Instagram between 1 hour and 3 hours a day, and 48 participants (48/585, 8.2%) used it more than 3 hours per day. We found statistically significant differences (P<.05) between the 3 groups in the scores obtained on the self-esteem test by Rosenberg, PACS-R, and BSQ. Participants who spent more time on Instagram had higher levels of body dissatisfaction, greater comparisons of physical appearance, and lower self-esteem. Moreover, we analyzed the relationship between the score obtained on the different scales and the types of content viewed, with no differences between those who mainly viewed professional content and those who primarily consumed fashion and beauty or sport and nutrition content.
conclusionsThe results of this study indicate that the use of Instagram is associated with poorer body image satisfaction and self-esteem, mediated by the tendency to compare physical appearance in relation to the daily duration of Instagram use.
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