Self-Presentation by Young Ballet and Contemporary Dancers on Image-Based Social Media

The impact of social media use on young peoples’ body image is gaining increased attention both in academia and in the media. Far less consideration has been given to whether young people emulate body image ideals in their online visual self-presentation. This study examined the online self-presentation of a group who may be vulnerable to body image difficulties, young dancers. Forty-seven contemporary dancers and twenty-four ballet dancers took part in the study. Participants’ most recent five images on Instagram were screen-captured and content analysed. In addition, participants completed a brief survey comprising measures of Instagram use, self-objectification, body surveillance, eating disorder psychopathology and depression.

There were no differences between dance genres in their conformity to idealised body image in their self-presentation. However, the dance groups differed in objectifying behaviour, as contemporary dancers demonstrated more sexually objectified images and ballet dancers posted more images that focussed on a body part instead of their face. In terms of audience reaction to idealised/non-idealised content, there were no differences in positive feedback between image-type and dance genre. However, regression analyses highlighted positive relationships between number of ‘likes’ and proportion of idealised and objectifying images posted. Finally, no significant relationships were established between features of self-presentation/Instagram use and assessments of self-objectification, body surveillance, eating disorder psychopathology and depression. All dancers also showed low levels of psychopathology across all measures. This study can offer young dancers and dance schools an insight into the visual self-presentation practices of young dancers. Instagram provides them with a constructive venue for identity expression. However, some of this aligns with idealised body shape or objectifying appearance, which should be considered. Results also invite more optimism and fewer negative preconceptions regarding body image in young dancers.