“You Aren’t Alone”: An Analysis of Trans Latinas’ Use of Instagram
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Social Media and Self-Representation
1.2. Presentation of Self
1.3. Current Study
2. Methods
2.1. Data Collection
2.2. Data Analysis
- Who took the picture?—Evidence that the image was a selfie, channeling Eckel’s [41] broader conceptualization of displayed authorship.
- Composition—Camera distance and camera angle because of the signified intimacy of a close-up compared to a photo taken further away and the signified power and authority of looking up on the person compared to one looking down on them [42].
- Clearly posing—Including how they were positioned and how much of the body was visible in the image (this is distinct from camera distance because it focuses on how much of the body is seen versus how far the camera is from the body). We also looked for eye contact and if they were smiling.
- Appearance—Makeup, styled hair, and use of accessories (e.g., jewelry, glasses, painted nails). Accessories were differentiated from props as being on the person’s body.
- Filters—Obvious use of software-based filters (e.g., glitter, smoothing of skin).
- Props—Props were external to the person’s body and intentionally used or emphasized (e.g., mirrors, cellphones).
2.3. Trustworthiness
Researchers’ Positionalities and Reflexivities
3. Results
3.1. Descriptive Findings: Visual Presentation
3.2. Thematic Findings: #translatina as a Space
3.2.1. Expressions of Beauty and Femininity
3.2.2. Fostering Community
3.2.3. Commercial or Work
3.2.4. Feeling Good and Confident
4. Discussion
5. Limitations and Contributions to the Literature
6. Implications for Health Promotion and Psychological Practice
7. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Themes | Codes | Caption Text and Hashtag Examples |
---|---|---|
Theme #1: Expressions of Beauty and Femininity | Posing, inviting us to look at her body, stereotypically feminine body and features. | “Isn’t it lovely?” “La Princesa” “Latina barbie doll” #transbeautiful #transbeauty #transisbeauty |
Theme #2: Fostering Community | Encouraging other people in their transition/identity, supportive of others, sharing transition story/journey (vulnerable), connecting with others, referencing and building community (authenticity). | “Grateful for my Trans Family” “It feels amazing to get all the love and support” “You aren’t alone” #deartransgirl #transcommunity #translatinacoalition #girlslikeus #belongtosomethingbeautiful |
Theme #3: Commercial or Work | Beauty products placement, use of “shemale” and “travestis,” place, promoting herself (“escorts”), inside a bedroom (more natural and candid and behind the scenes), revealing a seductive outfit and poses. | “Link in bio” Listing and tagging of makeup products and companies. Tagging companies and directly asking them to sponsor her. Using suggestive song lyrics in combination with hashtags. #Shemale #Travestis #Escorts #working |
Theme #4: Feeling Good and Confident | Behind the scenes view of her life (not the polished presentation), positive attitudes, smiles, vulnerable and candid and real and authentic and human, process of becoming, normalizing the process. | “Today is going to be a great day” “Knock me down nine times but I get up ten” “Getting closer to my goals” Describing how certain accessories make them feel: “beautiful, worth, confident and fierce AF!” #behappy #positiveday #feelinggorgeous |
Visual Elements | Posts (N = 134) |
---|---|
Number of people or focal subjects (1 person) | 130 (97.0%) |
Who took the picture? | |
Selfie | 86 (64.2%) |
Not a Selfie | 48 (35.8%) |
Composition: Proximity | |
Near | 68 (50.7%) |
Medium | 48 (35.8%) |
Far | 18 (13.4%) |
Composition: Vantage point | |
Looking up (on the subject) | 11 (8.2%) |
Looking down (on the subject) | 22 (16.4%) |
Straight | 101 (75.4%) |
Posing (yes) | 133 (99.3%) |
Position | |
Sitting or kneeling | 25 (18.7%) |
Standing | 54 (40.3%) |
Leaning | 6 (4.5%) |
Laying down | 8 (6.0%) |
Unclear | 41 (30.6%) |
Clearly smiling (yes) | 37 (27.6%) |
Eye contact (yes) | 90 (67.2%) |
How much of the person can we see? | |
Part of the body | 85 (63.4%) |
Most of the body | 49 (36.6%) |
Location of the Image | |
Indoors | 103 (76.9%) |
Outdoors | 23 (17.2%) |
Unclear | 8 (6.0%) |
Appearance | |
Makeup (yes) | 117 (87.3%) |
Styled hair (yes) | 122 (91.0%) |
Accessories (yes) | 101 (75.4%) |
Filters (yes) | 25 (18.7%) |
Props (yes) | 30 (22.4%) |
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Alvarez-Hernandez, L.R.; Lough, K.; Estevez, R. “You Aren’t Alone”: An Analysis of Trans Latinas’ Use of Instagram. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21, 699. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21060699
Alvarez-Hernandez LR, Lough K, Estevez R. “You Aren’t Alone”: An Analysis of Trans Latinas’ Use of Instagram. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2024; 21(6):699. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21060699
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlvarez-Hernandez, Luis R., Kyser Lough, and Rebekah Estevez. 2024. "“You Aren’t Alone”: An Analysis of Trans Latinas’ Use of Instagram" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 21, no. 6: 699. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21060699