Body Positivity (#BoPo) in everyday life: An ecological momentary assessment study showing potential benefits to individuals’ body image and emotional wellbeing

Abstract

Experimental studies of Body Positivity (BoPo), referring to social media content that challenges status-quo beauty ideals by portraying and promoting diverse physical appearances, are suggestive of mental health benefits. To date, no research has examined BoPo using naturalistic study designs that maximise ecological validity. Undergraduate students (N = 113, 83.2 % female, 26.6 % White) completed a 1-week, smartphone-facilitated ecological momentary assessment protocol containing self-report measures of state body satisfaction, state affective functioning, and BoPo exposure. Students also reported the social media platforms where their BoPo exposures occurred. Our main finding was that stu..