Recent research has shown the negative impact that social networks, especially Instagram, can have on body image. The present research aims to analyze factorial structure and psychometric properties of Instagram Image Activity Scale (IIAS) and Instagram Appearance Comparison Scale (IACS) in the Italian context. These instruments allow to detect the type of activities performed with images on Instagram and appearance comparison. 225 Italian women participated in the study. Exploratory Factor Analysis was performed to test the dimensionality of the scales; reliability was evaluated in terms of internal consistency and predictive validity was assessed considering body dissatisfaction as a criterion variable. The IIAS shows a trifactorial structure that accounted for 55.88% of the total variance: Activities: images of friends (α=0.85), Activities: images of celebrities (α=0.84), and Activities: self-images (α=0.81). The IACS showed a bifactorial structure: Frequency (α=0.94) and Direction (α=0.79) of appearance comparison. The variance accounted for was 55.51%. The scales showed good predictive validity: both the type of activities and appearance comparison on Instagram predicted body dissatisfaction. Moreover, appearance comparison mediated the relationship between the type of activity performed by the user with images and body dissatisfaction. The results suggest that both scales are valid measures that can be successfully used within the Italian context to assess different activities related to images and both frequency and direction of appearance comparison on Instagram.
Measure the activities related to images and appearance comparison on Instagram: Validation of the instagram image activity scale and the instagram appearance comparison scale
Policardo G. R.;
2020-01-01
Abstract
Recent research has shown the negative impact that social networks, especially Instagram, can have on body image. The present research aims to analyze factorial structure and psychometric properties of Instagram Image Activity Scale (IIAS) and Instagram Appearance Comparison Scale (IACS) in the Italian context. These instruments allow to detect the type of activities performed with images on Instagram and appearance comparison. 225 Italian women participated in the study. Exploratory Factor Analysis was performed to test the dimensionality of the scales; reliability was evaluated in terms of internal consistency and predictive validity was assessed considering body dissatisfaction as a criterion variable. The IIAS shows a trifactorial structure that accounted for 55.88% of the total variance: Activities: images of friends (α=0.85), Activities: images of celebrities (α=0.84), and Activities: self-images (α=0.81). The IACS showed a bifactorial structure: Frequency (α=0.94) and Direction (α=0.79) of appearance comparison. The variance accounted for was 55.51%. The scales showed good predictive validity: both the type of activities and appearance comparison on Instagram predicted body dissatisfaction. Moreover, appearance comparison mediated the relationship between the type of activity performed by the user with images and body dissatisfaction. The results suggest that both scales are valid measures that can be successfully used within the Italian context to assess different activities related to images and both frequency and direction of appearance comparison on Instagram.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
