Social media (SM) is a key communication tool, particularly for young women aged 15-29. While SM fosters social connections, it is also linked to negative effects on mental health, including poor body image, low self-esteem, and maladaptive perfectionism. These issues arise due to social comparison with idealized images, especially on platforms like Instagram, which can contribute to disordered eating behaviours. Research suggests that reducing SM use can improve mental well-being, body image, and eating disorder symptoms. However, current interventions have not simultaneously addressed both reducing SM exposure and strengthening protective psychological factors. To address this gap, the proposed study aims to pilot BodyScreen, an intervention app designed to limit SM exposure while enhancing self-esteem and reducing perfectionism in young women at high risk for eating disorders. The study hypothesizes that BodyScreen will be feasible, acceptable, and effective in improving body image, self-esteem, and SM use, with sustained benefits at a 3-month follow-up. The intervention includes a virtual face-to-face session, mid-intervention email support, and a four-week app-based program using Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMIs). Participants will receive reminders to complete exercises designed to improve self-perception and reduce the negative effects of SM. Additionally, Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) will track real-time self-esteem, perfectionism, and body image, while mobile sensing will monitor SM use to tailor interactive exercises accordingly. By integrating exposure reduction with psychological strengthening, BodyScreen aims to provide a novel, evidence-based approach to mitigating the harmful effects of SM on young women's mental health.
Women aged 15-29 years old
Ability to provide informed consent
Access to a smartphone (iOS or Android)
A score greater than 47 on the Eating Disorder Risk Composite (EDRC) from the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) is considered to be at high risk for an eating disorder and therefore makes a participant eligible for this study.
A concurrent treatment for self-esteem, perfectionism, body image, or disordered eating, as it may interfere with the intervention under investigation and will make it difficult to attribute any symptom changes to either treatment.
Single group
BodyScreen App
BehavioralThe BodyScreen App uses behavioural interventions along with haptic interruptions in social media app usage. The app will engage participants by sending them notifications, reminders, and activities to complete throughout the day and the week.
Number of participants who show a reduced score on the Eating Disorder Risk Composite subscales from the Eating Disorder Inventory-3.
The proposed study's primary outcomes will be body image and eating disorder symptomology, which will be assessed with the Eating Disorder Risk Composite (EDRC) subscales from the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3), drive for thinness scale, bulimia scale, and body dissatisfaction scale. Each of the three subscales has a raw score range of 0 to 24. The minimum EDRC score a participant can obtain is 0, which would indicate no eating disorder risk. The maximum EDRC score a participant can obtain is 72, where they score 24 on all three EDRC subscales. Those who score higher on the EDRC are at higher risk for eating disorders; higher scores are worse outcomes, and lower scores are better outcomes.
Number of participants who show an increased score on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
The 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) is our secondary outcome measure, assessing overall self-esteem. Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale (ranging from 0 to 3), resulting in total scores from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate better outcomes, as they reflect greater self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth. Conversely, lower scores suggest worse outcomes, indicating lower self-esteem and potential self-doubt or negative self-perception.
Number of participants who show a lowered score on the Big Three Perfectionism Scale
The 5-Item Big Three Perfectionism Scale (BTPS) is our tertiary outcome measure, perfectionism. Each item is rated on a 1 to 5 or 1 to 7 Likert scale, resulting in total scores ranging from 5 to 35. Higher scores indicate greater perfectionism and worse outcomes.
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Dalhousie University
Lead sponsor
IWK Health Centre
Collaborator
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