Improving body image at scale among Brazilian adolescents: study protocol for the co-creation and randomised trial evaluation of a chatbot intervention

Authors

E L. Matheson, University of the West of England
H G. Smith, Centre for Appearance Research, Department of Health and Social Sciences, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
A C. Amaral, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Southeast of Minas Gerais, 204 Monsenhor José Augusto, Barbacena, 36205018, Brazil.
J F. Meireles, Kennesaw State University
M C. Almeida, Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
G Mora, UNICEF Brasília, Office of the Representative of UNICEF in Brazil, SEPN 510, Block A - 2nd floor, Brasília, DF, 70750-521, Brazil.
C Leon, UNICEF Brasília, Office of the Representative of UNICEF in Brazil, SEPN 510, Block A - 2nd floor, Brasília, DF, 70750-521, Brazil.
G Gertner, Talk2U LLC, 777 Brickell Ave Ste 1210, Miami, Florida, 33131, USA.
N Ferrario, Talk2U LLC, 777 Brickell Ave Ste 1210, Miami, Florida, 33131, USA.
L Suarez Battan, Talk2U LLC, 777 Brickell Ave Ste 1210, Miami, Florida, 33131, USA.
J Linardon, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
M Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
P C. Diedrichs, Centre for Appearance Research, Department of Health and Social Sciences, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.

Department

Exercise Science and Sport Management

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-20-2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Body image concerns are prevalent among Brazilian adolescents and can lead to poor psychological and physical health. Yet, there is a scarcity of culturally-appropriate, evidence-based interventions that have been evaluated and made widely available. Chatbot technology (i.e., software that mimics written or spoken human speech) offers an innovative method to increase the scalability of mental health interventions for adolescents. The present protocol outlines the co-creation and evaluation of a body image chatbot for Brazilian adolescents via a partnership between academics, industry organisations and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). METHODS: A two-armed fully remote randomised controlled trial will evaluate the chatbot's effectiveness at improving body image and well-being. Adolescent girls and boys (N = 2800) aged 13-18 years recruited online will be randomly allocated (1:1) into either: 1) a body image chatbot or 2) an assessment-only control condition. Adolescents will engage with the chatbot over a 72-hour period on Facebook Messenger. Primary outcomes will assess the immediate and short-term impact of the chatbot on state- and trait-based body image, respectively. Secondary outcomes will include state- and trait-based affect, trait self-efficacy and treatment adherence. DISCUSSION: This research is the first to develop an evidence-informed body image chatbot for Brazilian adolescents, with the proposed efficacy trial aiming to provide support for accessible, scalable and cost-effective interventions that address disparities in body image prevalence and readily available resources. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04825184 , registered 30th March 2021.

Journal Title

BMC public health

Volume

21

Issue

1

First Page

2135

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/s12889-021-12129-1