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Social Media Engagement and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Adjustment Domains Among Adolescents With Body Dysmorphic Symptoms

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Social media has influenced the perception of beauty, attraction and body image among adolescents which is significantly regulated by socio-cultural factors. Individuals with low self-confidence and a strong desire for social acceptance tend to seek approval from their environment and become overly concerned with their physical appearance. Adolescents, who are more susceptible to insecurity and adjustment issues, are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of social media. OBJECTIVE: This study comprises two objectives: 1) To investigate the relationship among self-esteem, social media engagement and adjustment in adolescents displaying symptoms of body dysmorphia. 2) To compare participants on the basis of gender and urban-rural divide on self-esteem, social media engagement and adjustment. PARTICIPANTS: The study utilized a correlational design and t-test and collected self-reported data from 198 adolescents aged 13 to 19 years (M=17.43 years; SD=1.82). MEASURES: The data were gathered using the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (BDDQ) screening questionnaire, Bell Adjustment Inventory, Social Media Engagement Scale (SMES) and State Self-Esteem Measure. RESULT: Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between social networking usage and social adjustment and a negative association with other forms of adjustment, namely health, emotional and home. Regression analysis showed that state self-esteem negatively predicted home adjustment and health adjustment. Both state self-esteem and social self-esteem negatively predicted health adjustment. Conversely, social adjustment was positively predicted, while emotional adjustment was negatively predicted by social media engagement. The findings also revealed distinct patterns of adjustment and self-esteem based on gender and location differences in relation to social media engagement. The study concludes with a discussion of its theoretical and practical implications, along with methodological limitations.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.95261