Text Message Safety Behavior Fading for Appearance Concerns

Safety Behavior Fading Versus Unhealthy Behavior Fading for Appearance Concerns: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The current study aims to explore the efficacy of a text message based safety behavior fadinig intervention compared to an unhealthy behavior fading intervention for appearance concerns.

Description: Appearance-related safety behavior fading intervention procedures will follow methodology previously used in the Cougle Lab. The safety behavior fading intervention is designed to target a decrease or elimination of appearance-related safety behaviors. Individuals randomly assigned to the safety behavior fading condition will receive instructions to decrease or eliminate their endorsed appearance-related safety behaviors. In addition, they will receive daily reminders via text message to decrease these behaviors, along with a safety behavior monitoring checklist in which the participant indicates the extent to which they decreased and/or eliminated each safety behavior over the previous day. Individuals randomly assigned to the unhealthy behavior fading condition will receive instructions to decrease or eliminate unhealthy behaviors. They will also receive daily reminders via text message to decrease these behaviors, along with a safety behavior monitoring checklist in which the participant indicates the extent to which they decreased and/or eliminated each safety behavior over the previous day.

Individuals randomly assigned to the safety behavior fading condition will receive instructions to decrease or eliminate their endorsed appearance-related safety behaviors. In addition, they will receive daily reminders via text message to decrease these behaviors, along with a safety behavior monitoring checklist in which the participant indicates the extent to which they decreased and/or eliminated each safety behavior over the previous day.

Individuals randomly assigned to the unhealthy behavior fading condition will receive instructions to decrease or eliminate unhealthy behaviors that are unrelated to appearance. They will also receive daily reminders via text message to decrease these behaviors, along with a behavior monitoring checklist in which the participant indicates the extent to which they decreased and/or eliminated each behavior over the previous day.

Participants are asked to reduce or eliminate safety behaviors via text message reminders and checklists to monitor progress.

Participants are asked to reduce or eliminate unhealthy behaviors via text message reminders and checklists to monitor progress.

Self-report scale that measures appearance anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 16 to 80 with higher scores indicating higher levels of appearance concerns.

Self-report scale that measures eating disorder symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 90 with higher scores indicating higher levels of eating pathology.

Self-report scale that measures social anxiety symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 68 with higher scores indicating higher levels of social anxiety.

Self-report scale for measuring treatment expectancy and rationale credibility for use in clinical outcome studies.

Self-report scale used to measure frequency of engaging in appearance related safety behaviors. This scale will be used as a manipulation check.

Self-report scale used to measure frequency of engaging in unhealthy behaviors. This scale will be used as a manipulation check.

Self-report measure of appearance importance where individuals must allocate a budget of 100 to 7 different ideals including appearance, creativity, friendliness, work ethic, intelligence, humor, and income.

Inclusion Criteria: elevated appearance concerns as defined by a score of 53 or higher on the SAAS Being female Exclusion Criteria: being male Score of 52 or lower on the SAAS Currently receiving treatment (therapy, counseling, etc.) for anxiety, depression, eating disorder, or body image/appearance concerns If applicable, unstable psychiatric medication usage any time over the past 4 weeks