Hey everyone, it’s Theresa Marka, and I’m absolutely thrilled to share a deeply personal journey that started as a simple idea in 2020 and has now found its way into the prestigious Frontiers in Psychiatry. This incredible project, „Glow Up,“ has been my baby from the beginning, all about spreading joy and boosting self-esteem among young people through the magic of professional photoshoots. Buckle up as I take you on a ride through the highs and lows that led us to this amazing moment.
The Genesis
About four years ago, I embarked on a journey that would eventually become the „Glow-up“ project. The spark for this initiative ignited when I witnessed the transformative power of professional photoshoots among university students. It was remarkable to see how a simple session could boost their confidence and radiate happiness.
Inspired by this, I felt a calling to share this sense of empowerment with a broader audience. In 2020, I took the plunge and launched my very own version of „Glow Up.“ Little did I know that what started as a personal mission to spread joy would evolve into something far more profound.
As the project gained momentum, I observed firsthand the positive impact it had on individuals. The joy captured in each frame seemed to transcend the moment, leaving a lasting imprint on the participants. This got me thinking – could this simple yet powerful intervention be more than just a personal endeavor?
Motivated by this question, I decided to take „Glow Up“ to the next level. I approached the Chief of Child Psychiatry Belinda Plattner in Salzburg with a proposal to turn this heartwarming project into a full-fledged study. Months of meticulous planning followed, and in 2024, our efforts bore fruit as the study was officially published in Frontiers in Psychiatry.
The Study
Background:
In today’s digital age, where social media shapes so much of our lives, especially for young minds, the team working on the study was curious about how visual content influences the emotional well-being of child and adolescent psychiatric (CAP) patients. Social media and networking sites have a massive impact, and we wanted to harness that power for a positive cause.
Methods:
Our journey involved 45 incredible CAP patients, mostly girls, with an average age of 15.1 years. We used self-rating questionnaires to dive into their self-esteem, emotions, coping mechanisms, and more at the beginning. The focus was on understanding the changes in these aspects around the professional photoshoots.
Results:
The ride was nothing short of a rollercoaster! Boys seemed to thrive on positive emotions and boosted self-esteem after the photoshoots, especially when influenced by social media. It’s fascinating how the online world can be a positive force for them.
Now, for our girls, it was a bit different. The ups and downs were influenced by their own struggles with psychopathology and coping strategies. Internet use, especially on social media, seemed to affect their self-esteem negatively. But, and here’s the exciting part, the actual „glow-up moment“ during the photoshoot became this incredible index for therapeutic reflection.
What started as a humble attempt to spread confidence and happiness has now become a published study, contributing valuable insights into the intersection of mental health and visual interventions. It’s a testament to the potential for positive change when passion, inspiration, and a desire to make a difference converge.
Looking back, I can’t help but marvel at the unexpected turns this journey has taken. The „Glow-up“ project has not only brought smiles to the faces of those involved but has also opened up new avenues for understanding and addressing mental health challenges, especially among adolescents.
As we celebrate the publication of this study, I find myself grateful for the incredible individuals who became part of this journey – the participants, the Chief of Child Psychiatry Belinda Plattner, the cross-disciplinary team involved in making this happen and everyone who believed in the transformative power of a simple photoshoot. Here’s to the „Glow Up“ project – a journey that started with joy and radiated far beyond, leaving a glow that continues to inspire.