Table 7 Media literacy (targets media internalization) programs for emerging adults (18–25 years)
References | Type of study | Sample size | Intervention | Outcomes | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wilksch et al. [51] | RCT | Females seeking to improve body image n = 122 MS-T n = 194 Control | MS-T: a 9-module program released weekly; online adaptation of Media Smart, a school-based program that has been found to reduce ED risk. MS-T has a greater focus on social media pressures, emotion regulation, goal setting, addressing eating-related risk factors. Control: received tips for positive body image | EDE-Q | 220 participants (69.6%) met criteria for ED at baseline but lacked a formal diagnosis. MS-T participants were 66% less likely than controls to develop an ED by 12-month follow-up (nonsignificant). MS-T participants who met ED criteria at baseline were 75% less likely than controls to still meet diagnostic criteria at follow-up. This effect was significant and remained so for both those who did and who did not access external face-to-face ED treatment during the trial |
Wilksch et al. [52] | RCT | Females seeking to improve body image ITT analyses: n = 122 MS-T n = 98 SB n = 194 Control Measure completer analyses: n = 82 MS-T n = 70 SB n = 169 Control | MS-T and SB: 9-module programs including interactive content to target ED risk factors. Both released modules weekly via a password-protected mobile internet-platform and were pure self-help format (no online therapist moderator). SB focused on risk factors for disordered eating while MS-T focused more on media internalization. Control: emailed 10 tips on positive body image | EDE-Q, WCS, DASS-21, EDI, CIA, SATAQ-3 | Primary ITT analyses revealed no differences between groups; measure completer analyses found MS-T had significantly lower EDE-Q Global than controls at 12-month follow-up. Secondary ITT analyses found MS-T participants reported significantly higher quality of life–mental relative to SB and controls (6-month follow-up). Of those with baseline disordered eating, MS-T participants were significantly less likely than controls to report it at 12-month follow-up. Small to medium effect sizes between MS-T and SB (favouring MS-T; significant) on depression, (6-and 12-month follow-up), internalization (post-program), clinical impairment (12-month follow-up), etc |