In the age of social media, where influencers often shape our perceptions, a recent study from Washington State University (WSU) suggests that a few uplifting words can counteract the detrimental effects of objectified images shared by female fitness influencers. This research highlights the potential for positive messaging to mitigate the adverse consequences of viewing such content.
The Power of Positive Words
In a world where fitness influencers aim to inspire physical well-being, their social media posts can sometimes have a paradoxical impact, especially on younger women, negatively affecting their mental health. The WSU experimental study, published in the journal Health Communication, has uncovered a potential solution. Researchers found that the detrimental effects of idealized Instagram images could be offset with something as simple as a caption promoting body appreciation, such as “Love your body. See what it can do.”
Boosting Self-Compassion and Body Appreciation
These encouraging messages appeared to enhance viewers’ self-compassion and appreciation of their own bodies, at least in the short term. According to Jessica Willoughby, senior author of the study and associate professor in WSU’s Murrow College of Communication, these captions could serve as a protective factor. She suggests that these small yet impactful comments could be easily integrated into influencer posts.
Potential for Future Interventions
The findings open the door to other possible interventions. Health communicators, for instance, could ensure that young women exposed to this content also encounter posts encouraging them to think positively about their bodies.
The Study in Detail
For the study, researchers had 200 college-age women view manipulated Instagram posts from real fitness influencers. The participants were shown posts containing both objectified and regular images, with or without body appreciation messages.
Short-Term Impact of Positive Messaging
Results showed that body appreciation messages, even when paired with objectified images, had a positive impact on self-compassion and participants’ views toward their own bodies at that moment. However, no connection was found to better self-esteem or the longer-term perception of their bodies.
More Research Needed
While the experiment captured short-term effects, further research is needed to explore the cumulative impact of these messages. Many young women regularly encounter such content, which can influence them on a weekly or even daily basis.
The Role of Fitness Influencers
The researchers hope that fitness influencers will consider adding body appreciation messages to their posts. However, the likelihood of influencers reducing over-idealized, sexually objectified images remains uncertain. Willoughby acknowledges that even though past research found such poses resulted in fewer “likes,” the inclination to post them may persist.
Hence, it might fall to Instagram users to consider their interaction with these accounts. Willoughby suggests that people pay attention to how these posts make them feel. Are they genuinely inspiring, or is it perhaps time for a break?
