The Comparison TRAP: Instagram And Adolescent Girls

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between Instagram exposure and psychological outcomes in adolescent girls aged 13-17 years. A sample of 240 participants completed self-report measures assessing daily Instagram usage, self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), body image (Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire), and social comparison tendencies (Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure). Results revealed significant negative correlations between Instagram usage and both self-esteem (r = -.58, p < .001) and body image satisfaction (r = -.53, p < .001). Mediation analysis indicated that upward social comparison and body dissatisfaction partially mediated these relationships. Adolescent girls who spent more than three hours daily on Instagram reported significantly lower self-esteem (M = 13.9, SD = 3.2) compared to those with minimal usage (M = 23.4, SD = 2.8), F(2, 237) = 89.45, p < .001, η² = .43. These findings underscore the need for interventions targeting social media literacy and critical awareness of idealized content among vulnerable populations.