The body image related cyberbullying picture series (BRC-PicS)

Developed for use in research relating to cyberbullying, body image and eating disorders among female adolescents

Bibliographic Data

ID21625508
AuthorsTaliah Prince (0000-0002-1813-2576, corresponding author), Kate E Mulgrew (0000-0002-0678-2643, University of the Sunshine Coast), Christina Driver (0000-0002-5564-022X), Larisa T McLoughlin (0000-0002-0509-104X, University of South Australia), Lia Mills (0000-0001-9743-8575), Amanda Boyes (0000-0001-9444-4718), Daniel F Hermens (0000-0002-8570-2663)
Year2025
Volume44
Issue4
Pages2747-2760
Publication date2025-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCurrent Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1046-1310 • E-ISSN: 1936-4733
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s12144-025-07316-x
OpenAlexW4406598656
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited47

Body image-related cyberbullying (BRC), which targets an individual’s body weight, shape, and size, poses a serious threat to adolescent mental health, particularly among females. Evidence suggests that adolescent females who act as cyberbystanders of BRC - those witnessing without being directly targeted - may experience heightened body dissatisfaction and maladaptive eating behaviours. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying BRC remain largely unexplored. This study developed a series of BRC scenarios to examine neural responses among adolescent female cyberbystanders to viewing BRC stimuli. A total of 24 scenarios (12 BRC, 12 neutral) were created to replicate social media posts. A sample of 413 females aged 14–19 rated the severity and realism of the BRC stimuli and completed measures of cyberbullying, body image, and eating disorder psychopathology. Results indicated a positive correlation between severity and realism ratings, with younger participants perceiving scenarios as more realistic. ARC-victimisation was associated with greater engagement in ARC-bullying behaviours and heightened body image disturbances. A final subset of six scenarios, reflecting varied severity, realism, and thematic content, was selected to form the Body Image-Related Cyberbullying Picture Series (BRC-PicS). This validated tool enables real-time investigation into BRC’s impact on adolescent female mental health, supporting future neurobiological research and informing interventions for body dissatisfaction and eating disorders among adolescent females

Developmental psychology · Eating disorders · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Clinical Psychology · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Psychology · Psychosocial Factors Impacting Youth · Social Psychology · Artificial Intelligence

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Open DOIOpen Access