Latent profiles of social-media-specific and general appearance-related characteristics and body-related outcomes

Introduction Appearance-related social media use has been associated with body dissatisfaction and eating-related concerns; however, most studies have employed variable-centred approaches, providing limited insight into how social-media-specific behaviours and broader appearance-related cognitive tendencies co-occur within individuals. Using a person-centred approach, we identified latent profiles defined by social-media content exposure, presentation and validation behaviours, upward appearance comparison, and body surveillance, and examined their concurrent associations with body-related outcomes. Methods A total of 3,504 Greek-speaking adults (66.8% women, mean age = 36.87 years, SD = 10.93) completed a cross-sectional online survey. Latent profile analysis used eight standardised indicators. Distal outcomes were examined using the Bolck -Croon -Hagenaars (BCH) three-step approach, accounting for classification uncertainty and adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). Results The analysis supported six profiles: Photo-Manipulation -Focused Users (11.4%), Comparison and Surveillance -Focused Users (16.6%), Exposure-Dominant Users (22.5%), High Appearance-Engagement Users (3.6%), Moderate Appearance-Monitoring Users (24.4%), and Low Appearance-Engagement Users (21.5%). Classification precision was moderate (entropy = 0.710). Profiles differed in appearance satisfaction, drive for thinness, and self-compassion (all p < 0.001). The High Appearance-Engagement profile showed the highest drive for thinness and the lowest self-compassion and, together with the Comparison and Surveillance -Focused profile, the lowest appearance satisfaction. The Low Appearance-Engagement profile showed the lowest drive for thinness and, together with the Exposure-Dominant profile, the highest appearance satisfaction and self-compassion, despite the latter’s elevated exposure. Differences in all three outcomes remained, although attenuated, when profiles were derived from social-media-specific indicators alone. Discussion These findings indicate that distinct configurations of social-media behaviours and appearance-related cognitions are associated with differing body-related outcomes, reflecting heterogeneity that variable-centred analyses may obscure; longitudinal and experimental research is needed to establish temporal and causal relations.