A School Program for Teenagers to Promote Positive Body Image Using Social Media Education and Self-Compassion-Based Activities

Summary

Background and study aims Many teenagers feel unhappy with their bodies, which can lead to problems like eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression. Social media plays an important role in shaping how young people see themselves, often promoting unrealistic beauty standards. This study aims to test the effectiveness of a school-based programme called IMPACTREEL, which teaches adolescents how to critically understand social media and improve their relationship with their body using strategies from third-wave psychological therapies. The goal is to help teenagers feel better about their bodies and reduce the risks of developing mental health problems.

Who can participate? The study is open to first year high-school adolescents who attend selected secondary schools in the province of Alicante (Spain). Participation is voluntary, and both the students and their parents/legal guardians must give consent to take part. Young people showing severe symptoms of eating disorders will not be included, as they may need clinical treatment.

What does the study involve?

Participants will be randomly assigned by classroom to one of two groups:

The intervention group will receive the IMPACTREEL programme, which consists of seven weekly sessions, each lasting 55 minutes, delivered at school by trained facilitators.

The control group will not receive the programme during the study but will be offered it later.

Both groups will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires about body image, social media use, emotional well-being, and quality of life before the programme, after it ends, and again 6 months and 12 months later. These questionnaires are confidential and anonymous.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Participants in the intervention group may learn new skills to help them manage how they feel about their body and how they use social media. These strategies may also help reduce stress and improve emotional well-being.

There are no known risks of taking part in this study. Completing the questionnaires or discussing body image may make some students feel uncomfortable, but they are free to stop participating at any time. No clinical diagnosis or treatment is involved in this study.

Where is the study run from? The study is being run by psychologists and researchers from the Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche (Spain), in collaboration with local secondary schools in the province of Alicante.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? The study started in 2024 and is expected to continue until 2028, including follow-up assessments and data analysis.

Who is funding the study? The study is funded by a FPU (Formación del Profesorado Universitario) grant from the Spanish Ministry of Universities, which supports doctoral training and research.

Who is the main contact?

Main contact:

Sheila Fernández García Email: [email protected] Affiliation: Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche

Conditions

• Body Esteem

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

IMPACTREEL programme

The IMPACTREEL programme is a school-based intervention designed to promote positive body image in adolescents. It combines social media literacy education with third-wave strategies, including mindfulness, self-compassion, and psychological flexibility. The intervention consists of 7 weekly group sessions lasting 55 minutes each, delivered by trained psychologists facilitators during school hours. The content targets appearance ideal internalisation, critical thinking about social media, and healthier body image attitudes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• María José Quiles Sebastián María José Quiles Sebastián, Associate Professor · Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

11 Years

Max Age

14 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-09-09

Primary Completion

2028-11-01

Completion

2028-11-01

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations