Instagram Use and Body Dissatisfaction: Investigating the Roles of Sexual Orientation and Appearance Comparisons

Abstract

The present study examined potential mediators (upward and downward appearance comparisons), moderator (sexual orientation), and moderated mediation of the connection between Instagram use and body dissatisfaction. The sample consisted of 177 Dutch participants, of which approximately half were heterosexual or gay men, and half were heterosexual or lesbian women. Consistent with earlier findings, the preliminary analyses revealed more body dissatisfaction, as well as the tendency to compare oneself upwards, for homosexual men than for heterosexual men. A reversed effect was found within the female sample, indicating more body dissatisfaction and more tendency to compare oneself upwards among heterosexual women, compared to lesbian women. Contrary to expectations, the proposed moderated mediation analysis turned out to be non-significant. No association between Instagram use and body dissatisfaction was found. Implications for future Instagram research are discussed.