ArticleJMIR dermatology2023
Investigating the Role of Upward Comparisons and Self-compassion on Stigma in People With Acne: Cross-sectional Study.
Article in JMIR dermatology, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 15 citations in OpenAlex.
- The Burden of Acne Vulgaris on Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychosocial Well-Being Domains: A Systematic Review.American journal of clinical dermatology · 2026Pooled it
- Skin Health Information Seeking on Short Video Platforms in Indonesia: Mixed Methods Approach.JMIR dermatology · 2026Article
- The relationship between social networking site body talk and college students' physical Activity: The role of upward appearance comparisons and self-compassion.SSM - population health · 2025Article
- Internalized Stigma in Acne Vulgaris Patients and Relationship with Quality of Life, Disease Severity.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- A cross-sectional study on gender differences in body dysmorphic concerns in patients with skin conditions in relation to sociodemographic, clinical and psychological variables.Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV · 2025Article
- Self-compassion as a protective factor against adverse consequences of social media use: A scoping review.PloS one · 2025Article
- Impact of acne on women's social media and dating apps photo activity.Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV · 2025Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe use of image-laden social media is hypothesized 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.
objectiveThis cross-sectional study examined the relationship between photo-orientated social media use and feelings of stigmatization in adults with acne, and tested whether upward skin comparisons mediate and self-compassion moderates this relationship.
methodsAdults (N=650) with acne symptoms completed web-based measures of social media use (daily Facebook or Instagram use, Facebook function use), self-compassion, skin appearance comparisons, and internalized stigmatization.
resultsModerated-mediation and mediation analyses indicated that there was a significant indirect effect of Facebook photo use on stigmatization, mediated by upward appearance comparisons (estimation of indirect effect 11.03, SE 5.11, 95% CI 1.19-21.12). There was no significant relationship between Instagram use and feelings of stigmatization (estimation of indirect effect 0.0002, SE 0.005, 95% CI -0.011 to 0.009), yet upward appearance comparisons predicted feelings of stigmatization (B=0.99, 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 upward appearance comparisons and feelings of stigmatization in both Facebook and Instagram users.
conclusionsThe 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.
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