Expert Peer Facilitation of the EVERYbody Project: A Randomized-controlled Evaluation of a Diversity-focused, Dissonance-based, Universal Body Image Program for College Students

The first two trials of the EVERYbody Project demonstrated that a gender-inclusive, diversity-focused, dissonance-based group body image intervention could improve eating disorder risk factors among college students, particularly when the two session program was delivered by individuals with expertise (faculty or staff with body image expertise). When peer interventionists were used (college students with body image interest who completed a two-day training before facilitating groups), the effects of the EVERYbody Project were diminished. Although peer facilitation is commonly used for delivering dissonance-based body image interventions, an open training peer facilitation model (where all students who are trained are eligible to deliver the intervention) may not be the most beneficial for leading inclusivity-focused body image groups.

The current trial of the EVERYbody Project (Trial 3) explores a novel strategy to implement this program using expert peer facilitators. College students with lived or academic expertise in both body image and diversity topics were recruited to complete a two-day training. The training included practice and feedback on the two session intervention content as well as training on inclusive facilitation. Following the training, peer leaders completed a facilitation readiness self-evaluation and were evaluated by trainers for facilitation expertise. Only students who passed the expertise threshold were invited to facilitate EVERYbody Project groups.

The expert peer facilitation of the EVERYbody Project was compared to a time-matched two session passive video and expressive writing intervention. College students within a university in the Pacific Northwest United States were invited to participate in the group intervention (universal intervention target, gender inclusive). Outcome assessment included a comparison of changes in eating disorder risk factors and symptoms across randomization conditions from pre-post intervention through three-month follow-up. Program satisfaction was assessed at post-intervention and program application was assessed post-intervention and at three-month follow-up.