We are pleased to highlight a new publication by Anca Maria Broască, PhD student at Babeș-Bolyai University, co-authored with her PhD supervisor, Meda Mucundorfeanu, and Delia Cristina Balaban.
The article, “Engaging narratives, authentic connections: The role of storytelling in body-positivity-themed influencer sponsored posts,” was published in Computers in Human Behavior Reports (2026), IF 5.5.
The study examines how storytelling in body-positivity-themed sponsored posts influences perceptions of social media influencer authenticity and subsequent advertising outcomes. Based on an experiment involving 303 female Instagram users, the research shows that storytelling does not automatically increase perceived authenticity; rather, its effects appear to depend on whether audiences already follow the influencer. At the same time, perceived authenticity is strongly associated with brand attitudes, purchase intentions, and electronic word-of-mouth.
The publication contributes to ongoing research on influencer communication, authenticity, storytelling, and body positivity, offering a more nuanced understanding of how personal narratives function within sponsored social media content.