Evaluating associations between fitspiration and thinspiration content on Instagram and disordered-eating behaviors using ecological momentary assessment: A registered report

Introduction: Greater use of appearance-focused social media, such as Instagram, is associated with increased body dissatisfaction and eating disorder (ED) symptoms; however, questions remain about the mechanism connecting social media use to disordered-eating behaviors (DEBs). The proposed study evaluates how and for whom exposure to fitspiration or thinspiration on Instagram is associated with DEBs. Methods: We will evaluate a hypothesized pathway from Instagram use to disordered-eating mediated by negative affect. We will test how individual differences in internalized weight stigma, trait self-esteem, and trait self-comparison moderate the pathway from social media use to negative affect. We will recruit 175 undergraduate women who report engaging in DEBs on average at least once per week over the past 3 months. Participants will complete a 7-day ecological momentary assessment protocol, during which they will report their Instagram use, affect, and engagement in DEBs. Results: Multi-level modeling will be used to assess moderated mediation. Results from this study will provide increased specificity about how Instagram usage is linked to eating pathology and who may be most vulnerable to experiencing distress. Discussion: Information about negative affect from Instagram and engagement in DEBs could contribute to the development of Just-In-Time Interventions for problematic social media use.