Game on! A randomised controlled trial evaluation of playable technology in improving body satisfaction and negative affect among adolescents

Abstract

Playables are mini-games used in digital advertising and may offer a novel and engaging avenue to improve young people’s well-being at scale. This randomised controlled trial evaluated the immediate impact and protective properties of a psychoeducational playable on adolescents’ body satisfaction and negative affect, and engagement in prosocial behaviours, relative to two active control conditions. Girls and boys aged 13–14 years ( N = 6575) were randomised into one of three conditions: body image playable, body image social networking posts (i.e. static images of the body image playable messages; control 1) or an ocean conservation playable (control 2). Both body image micro-interventions significantly improved state body satisfaction and negative affect, relative to the oceanic playable. No condition buffered against the negative effects associated with viewing idealised media images. Developing playables to counteract the potentially harmful effects associated with surrounding digital environments is a promising avenue for mental health.

Systematic Review of Digital Interventions for Adolescent and Young Adult Women's Body Image

“…Of the 15 studies included in the review eight were effective (i.e., they produced statistically significant changes in body image outcomes in experimental vs. control groups from pre to post intervention ( 26 , 51 , 53 – 55 , 60 , 62 , 63 ). Of these, five reduced negative body image ( 53 – 55 , 60 , 62 ), two improved positive body image ( 51 , 63 ) and one succeeded in both reducing body dissatisfaction and improving body appreciation ( 26 ).…”

“…Although these eight provided evidence of the effectiveness of the intervention, one study suggested the intervention had protective effects against media exposure within experimental groups only, however no pre-post changes in body image outcomes were reported between groups ( 56 ). Other studies improved body image from pre-to-post intervention, but failed to yield protective effects against media exposure, suggesting that effectiveness may have been somewhat limited [e.g., ( 60 )]. Additionally, the changes reported by Franko et al ( 53 ) were only marginally significant and the significant effects observed by Fuller-Tyszkiewicz et al ( 55 ) may have been biased by the considerable attrition rate.…”

“…Three of these were the “Student bodies” dissonance program, which were not found to reduce body dissatisfaction or drive for thinness ( 52 , 58 , 64 ). However, other dissonance approaches were found to improve body esteem ( 62 ), while micro-interventions grounded in cognitive dissonance improved body appreciation ( 51 ) and body satisfaction ( 60 ) although effect sizes were typically small.…”

“…There was mixed support for psychoeducational approaches with marginal-small reductions in body dissatisfaction reported by some studies at post-test but not at follow up ( 53 , 54 ), and no effects observed in others ( 59 ). Matheson et al ( 60 ) and Halliwell et al ( 56 ), who delivered psychoeducation via short “playable” games, social media posts and educational videos also found that psychoeducation had some potential to improve body image particularly in younger adolescents/children.…”

“…Matheson et al ( 60 ) explored the effectiveness of body image “digital playables”, which are in-app advertisements that make use of interactive mini-games, to impart body-related psychoeducation and media literacy to users. Players navigated a cartoon character through an online environment by swiping and tapping on the screen, while psychoeducational messages appeared.…”