Combining social media literacy with self-compassion: Testing the SoSelf mHealth training

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Media Studies
• Public Health

Background:

• Adolescent and young adult women experience significant appearance-related stress, often exacerbated by social media comparisons.
• Body dissatisfaction is a prevalent issue fueled by appearance-based social media engagement.
• While social media literacy and self-compassion interventions are effective individually, their combined use is under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility, engagement, and acceptability of the combined SoSelf training program.
• To evaluate the potential effectiveness of the SoSelf training on self-compassion, body appreciation, and social appearance anxiety.
• To explore the utility of integrating social media literacy with self-compassion within an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) framework.

Main Methods:

• A 30-day feasibility study involving 26 young women (ages 15-21).
• Utilized a mixed-methods approach including pre-, post-, and follow-up questionnaires, EMA, and semi-structured interviews.
• Assessed feasibility, engagement (EMA compliance), acceptability (satisfaction), and potential effectiveness.

Main Results:

• High engagement (EMA compliance: 90.7%) and acceptability (high satisfaction ratings) were observed.
• Significant increases in self-compassion and body appreciation were noted post-intervention.
• A significant decrease in social appearance anxiety was observed, with effects maintained at one-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

• The combined SoSelf training is a feasible and acceptable intervention for young women.
• The multi-componential approach shows potential for improving psychological well-being related to appearance and social media use.
• Further research via randomized controlled trials is recommended before widespread dissemination.