Phaedra Longhurst , Emily C. Woodworth , Isabel Cunha , Rachel Rodgers
{"title":"#DisabledBodyPositivity: A content analysis of body positive Instagram posts in the disabled community","authors":"Phaedra Longhurst , Emily C. Woodworth , Isabel Cunha , Rachel Rodgers","doi":"10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101801","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accumulating research has supported the potential for body positivity content on Instagram to challenge predominant appearance ideals and promote a healthier body image. However, research in diverse groups is lacking – in particular, individuals with a disability have largely been neglected. Using #Disabled #BodyPositivity, this analysis examined the content of 623 body positive posts on Instagram. Posts were coded for body and appearance-attributes and themes relating to positive body image, appearance ideals, disability, and health. Posts were also examined for contradictory messaging (i.e., body positivity themes alongside the pursuit of appearance ideals). Results demonstrated an inclusion of diverse body and appearance-attributes, however, posts predominantly depicted young, White women. While only 45.06 % of posts contained at least one positive body image theme, our results identified positive themes specific to the disabled community, such as disability pride and activism. Besides the significant relationship between the presence of body positive themes and body and food shame, contradictory messaging was not found. Future research examining the effects of exposure to body positivity messaging on social media among those with a disability is warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48312,"journal":{"name":"Body Image","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 101801"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Body Image","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144524001232","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PSYCHIATRY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Accumulating research has supported the potential for body positivity content on Instagram to challenge predominant appearance ideals and promote a healthier body image. However, research in diverse groups is lacking – in particular, individuals with a disability have largely been neglected. Using #Disabled #BodyPositivity, this analysis examined the content of 623 body positive posts on Instagram. Posts were coded for body and appearance-attributes and themes relating to positive body image, appearance ideals, disability, and health. Posts were also examined for contradictory messaging (i.e., body positivity themes alongside the pursuit of appearance ideals). Results demonstrated an inclusion of diverse body and appearance-attributes, however, posts predominantly depicted young, White women. While only 45.06 % of posts contained at least one positive body image theme, our results identified positive themes specific to the disabled community, such as disability pride and activism. Besides the significant relationship between the presence of body positive themes and body and food shame, contradictory messaging was not found. Future research examining the effects of exposure to body positivity messaging on social media among those with a disability is warranted.
期刊介绍:
Body Image is an international, peer-reviewed journal that publishes high-quality, scientific articles on body image and human physical appearance. Body Image is a multi-faceted concept that refers to persons perceptions and attitudes about their own body, particularly but not exclusively its appearance. The journal invites contributions from a broad range of disciplines-psychological science, other social and behavioral sciences, and medical and health sciences. The journal publishes original research articles, brief research reports, theoretical and review papers, and science-based practitioner reports of interest. Dissertation abstracts are also published online, and the journal gives an annual award for the best doctoral dissertation in this field.