Work

Assessing photo-specific social media, body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression: a nationwide cross-sectional study on adolescents and young adults

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: The rise of photo-specific social media platforms has significantly impacted body image and mental health. Although studies have shown a link between social media use and body dissatisfaction, most prior research has focused on adult and Western populations, leaving a gap in understanding these relationships among adolescents and young adults in non-Western contexts like Pakistan. Furthermore, the specific roles of active photo-editing behaviors and exposure to influencer content remain under-investigated. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression among social media users in Pakistan aged 16–25 years. A total of 511 participants completed a survey assessing social media engagement including time spent on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, usage of filters and photo-editing tools, and exposure to beauty and fitness content. The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-8C), the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ-4), GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scales were used. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS and included descriptive statistics, non-parametric independent sample test, and multinomial regression analysis. Results: Out of 511 participants, 212 (41.5%) were in the 21–23 years age category, and 315 (61.6%) were female. Snapchat was the most frequently used platform for photo-filters (178, 51.8%). The median (IQR) BSQ-8C score was 21 (19). Significant positive correlations were observed between BSQ-8C, SATAQ-4, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 (all P < 0.001). Multinomial regression identified gender and the perceived importance of photo-filter use as significant predictors of body dissatisfaction. The negative coefficients indicate that being female ( B = −3.778, P = 0.008) and attributing greater importance to filters ( B = −6.383, P = 0.029) were associated with significantly higher body dissatisfaction. Conclusion: This study provides evidence from a Pakistani cohort that engagement with photo-specific social media is associated with body dissatisfaction and poorer mental health, with females being particularly vulnerable. The finding that the importance placed on photo filters is a key predictor highlights a critical risk factor. These results emphasize the need for targeted public health strategies, including media literacy programs that critically address photo-editing and curated content and accessible mental health support for young people.

Source: Annals of Medicine and Surgery

DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000004535