Social media use and facial satisfaction (Version 1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Social media use and facial satisfaction amongst orthodontic patients, orthognathic patients and students. (Version 1)
IRAS ID
224974
Contact name
Jonathon Timothy Newton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Social media use and facial satisfaction amongst orthodontic patients, orthognathic patients and students.
A crossover experimental study.
BACKGROUND: NHS resources are limited, yet demand for orthodontic treatment is increasing. Commissioning for services particularly orthognathic (jaw surgery) services is under scrutiny yet many adult patients are presenting with discrepancies that may affect their well-being and psychological health.
It is pertinent to consider factors that may be leading to this increase in demand for treatment. It is possible that an increase in the use of social media could be influencing female’s perceptions of their own appearance and therefore perceived need for treatment or awareness of facial disharmony.
Using the medium of Facebook, this study will investigate the immediate effects of browsing a newsfeed (viewing images including those of peers, family, celebrities) on female’s facial dissatisfaction. It will also consider whether orthodontic experience mediates findings.
The study will consider three female groups; those who have never had orthodontic treatment, those currently undergoing orthodontic treatment and those currently undergoing orthognathic treatment to see if each group is affected differently by viewing images on social media.
Eligible participants will include females aged 16 years or over with access to Facebook and with no current diagnosis of depression, body dysmorphic conditions or eating disorders.
Participants in treatment will be recruited from the Orthodontic Department at The Royal Berkshire Hospital those not in treatment will be recruited from The University of Reading. The study will be conducted at Hospital and University sites.
During the study participants will be asked to look at their first website (either social media or a neutral site- randomly allocated) and then answer questions relating to their facial appearance. This process will be repeated using the second site after approximately 5 weeks. Demographic information as well as an introductory questionnaire will be completed at the first session.
No funding is required.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0273
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion