Effectiveness of a brief school-based body image intervention 'Dove Confident Me: Single Session' when delivered by teachers and researchers: Results from a cluster randomised controlled trial

Garbett, Kirsty M.; Steer, Rebecca J.; Diedrichs, Phillippa C; Atkinson, Melissa J.; Rumsey, Nichola; Halliwell, Emma

Abstract

© 2015 The Authors. This study evaluated a 90-min single session school-based body image intervention (Dove Confident Me: Single Session), and investigated if delivery could be task-shifted to teachers. British adolescents (N = 1707; 11-13 years; 50.83% girls) participated in a cluster randomised controlled trial [lessons as usual control; intervention teacher-led (TL); intervention researcher-led (RL)]. Body image, risk factors, and psychosocial and disordered eating outcomes were assessed 1-week pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and 4-9.5 weeks follow-up. Multilevel mixed-models showed post-intervention improvements for intervention students relative to control in body esteem (TL; girls only), negative affect (TL), dietary restraint (TL; girls only), eating disorder symptoms (TL), and life engagement (TL; RL). Awareness of sociocultural pressures increased at post-intervention (TL). Effects were small-medium in size (ds 0.19-0.76) and were not maintained at follow-up. There were no significant differences between conditions at post or follow-up on body satisfaction, appearance comparisons, teasing, appearance conversations and self-esteem. The intervention had short-term benefits for girls' body image and dietary restraint, and for eating disorder symptoms and some psychosocial outcomes among girls and boys. A multi-session version of the intervention is likely to be necessary for sustained improvements. Teachers can deliver this intervention effectively with minimal training, indicating broader scale dissemination is feasible. Trial registration: ISRCTN16782819.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Oct 2, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 10, 2016
• Journal: Behaviour Research and Therapy
• Print ISSN: 0005-7967
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 74
• Pages: 94-104
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2015.09.004
• Keywords: body image, schools, intervention, task-shifting, adolescence
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/804104
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2015.09.004
• Contract Date: Feb 10, 2016