A pre–post study of self-esteem, self-concept and body image among adolescents in the context of a co-created community intervention on screen use
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- 2Atenció Primària, Gerència Territorial de Lleida, Institut Català de la Salut, Lleida, Spain
- 3Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
- 4Centre d’Atenció Primària Bellpuig, Institut Català de la Salut, Bellpuig, Lleida, Spain
- 5Health Care Research Group (GRECS), Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
- 6Metabolic Physiopathology Research Group, Department of Experimental Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, Spain
Abstract
Introduction: Excessive screen use negatively affects adolescents’ self-esteem, self-concept, and body image, largely due to social comparison on digital platforms. Educational interventions are often less effective without community involvement, highlighting the importance of an ecological and participatory approach. This study aimed to assess the changes observed following the implementation of a community co-created intervention programme on screen use, self-esteem, self-concept, and positive body image among adolescents from a rural area in Catalonia. Methods: The study was conducted in Bellpuig, a rural municipality in Catalonia, Spain, involving adolescents aged twelve to sixteen years enrolled at `Lo Pla d’Urgell´ institute. This was a quasi-experimental single-group study with pre and post intervention measurements. The intervention program was co-created with adolescents, families, teachers, healthcare professionals, and local community stakeholders through a participatory design process, and comprised educational and participatory activities focused on fostering digital balance and promoting self-esteem, self-concept, and positive body image. Data were collected using validated self-report measures before and after the intervention. Pre–post changes were assessed using two-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Differences in individual pre–post change scores between girls and boys were assessed using two-sided Mann–Whitney U tests. Rank-biserial correlations with 95% confidence intervals were reported as effect-size estimates. Results: The intervention led to a moderate improvement in positive body image, self-esteem, and self-concept among adolescents. No notable differences were found in the impact of the intervention between sex participants. However, baseline differences in self-esteem and body image were observed, with higher initial values among boys. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a community co-created intervention program can be an effective strategy to improvement positive body image and self-esteem among adolescents. Future research should explore long-term effects and adaptation to diverse populations. Public Contribution: This study underscores the value of community co-created interventions to support adolescent well-being, especially in rural areas with limited mental health resources. The findings offer useful guidance for health professionals, educators, and policymakers to design and evaluate programs that foster healthy self-perception and digital habits, while also raising community awareness.
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BibTeX
@article{artiguesbarbera2026prepost,
title = {{A pre–post study of self-esteem, self-concept and body image among adolescents in the context of a co-created community intervention on screen use}},
author = {Eva Artigues-Barberà and Mercè Pollina-Pocallet and Ester García-Martínez and Joaquim Sol and Aleix Ayats Pallés and Marta Ortega Bravo},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0360373},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360373},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A pre–post study of self-esteem, self-concept and body image among adolescents in the context of a co-created community intervention on screen use
AU - Eva Artigues-Barberà
AU - Mercè Pollina-Pocallet
AU - Ester García-Martínez
AU - Joaquim Sol
AU - Aleix Ayats Pallés
AU - Marta Ortega Bravo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0360373
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360373
AB - Introduction: Excessive screen use negatively affects adolescents’ self-esteem, self-concept, and body image, largely due to social comparison on digital platforms. Educational interventions are often less effective without community involvement, highlighting the importance of an ecological and participatory approach. This study aimed to assess the changes observed following the implementation of a community co-created intervention programme on screen use, self-esteem, self-concept, and positive body image among adolescents from a rural area in Catalonia. Methods: The study was conducted in Bellpuig, a rural municipality in Catalonia, Spain, involving adolescents aged twelve to sixteen years enrolled at `Lo Pla d’Urgell´ institute. This was a quasi-experimental single-group study with pre and post intervention measurements. The intervention program was co-created with adolescents, families, teachers, healthcare professionals, and local community stakeholders through a participatory design process, and comprised educational and participatory activities focused on fostering digital balance and promoting self-esteem, self-concept, and positive body image. Data were collected using validated self-report measures before and after the intervention. Pre–post changes were assessed using two-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Differences in individual pre–post change scores between girls and boys were assessed using two-sided Mann–Whitney U tests. Rank-biserial correlations with 95% confidence intervals were reported as effect-size estimates. Results: The intervention led to a moderate improvement in positive body image, self-esteem, and self-concept among adolescents. No notable differences were found in the impact of the intervention between sex participants. However, baseline differences in self-esteem and body image were observed, with higher initial values among boys. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a community co-created intervention program can be an effective strategy to improvement positive body image and self-esteem among adolescents. Future research should explore long-term effects and adaptation to diverse populations. Public Contribution: This study underscores the value of community co-created interventions to support adolescent well-being, especially in rural areas with limited mental health resources. The findings offer useful guidance for health professionals, educators, and policymakers to design and evaluate programs that foster healthy self-perception and digital habits, while also raising community awareness.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -