Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 M.A. in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Allameh Tabatabai, Tehran, Iran.
2 Associate professor, Department of General and Clinical Psychology, Psychology and Education, University of Allameh Tabatabai, Tehran, Iran.
3 Professor, Department of General and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of social media use on depression with the mediating role of body image. The present research was descriptive-correlational in terms of data collection method and applied in terms of aims. The statistical population of the study included all young members of social networks. Using the Green formula, the required sample size (104) was determined (n=234). Samples were selected by the convenience sampling method. We employed the Young Internet Addiction Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and Multidimensional Relationships Questionnaires to collect data. The results of this study indicate that participants’ depression was mild. The participants’ social media had no addiction to the Internet. In addition, they had strong body image. The results of the regression test showed that social media use has a moderate effect on depression. The mediating role of body image in the relationship between social media use and depression was confirmed, as well. Considering the significant effect of social media use on depression through body image, it is of prime importance to adopt strategies to inform people about the proper use of these sites and to foster people’s perception of their body image through psychological workshops, coupled with educational programs related to media literacy.
Extended Abstract:
Introduction
Nowadays, the use of social networks has become an indispensable part of human life. Since the use of these networks affects various aspects of human life such as behavioral patterns, well-being level, interactions, and people's awareness, it is crucial to investigate this area. Extensive studies have been conducted in Iran and the world to investigate the effects of using social media sites on Human life. Past studies indicated that the use of social networks is related to the increase in negative mood. Moreover, studies have shown that there is a relationship between the use of social networks and the shaping of a negative attitude towards the body (negative body image). Considering the high prevalence of depression in Iran and the increasing use of social networks, it is required and useful to examine the relationship between these variables by considering other influencing factors. Although a lot of research has investigated this relationship, the relationship between the use of virtual networks and depression, considering the role of body image, is still unclear and ambiguous. Therefore, the present research aims to address this issue.
Research questions:
What is the relationship between social media use and depression among the Iranian population?
What is the impact of social media use on depression with the mediating role of body image?
Literature
Although there are studies that indicate the relationship between the use of social networks and higher well-being in users, many studies show a stronger relationship between social media use and depression (Tandoc & Goh, 2023, Sadagheyani & Tatari, 2021).
Aalbers et al. (2019) showed in their study that there is a significant relationship between passive use of networks and depression. In addition, Yim & Park (2019) and Hogue & Mills (2019) concluded that negative body image increases with more social media use. Also, previous research shows that people with negative body image spend more time checking and collecting information related to their body image on social networks. Pedalino & Camerini (2022) also confirms the connection between the use of social networks and the formation of body dissatisfaction. Besides, The results of the study conducted by Haghighatian et al. (2013), who investigated the factors influencing the formation of body image, showed that among the influencing factors (family, school, people around, and media), the media plays the biggest role.
Methodology
The current study is correlational and descriptive and aims to investigate the relationship between social media use, depression, and body image. To measure these variables, we employed Likert scale questionnaires: the Young's Internet Addiction Questionnaire, the Beck depression questionnaire, Multidimensional Self-Body Relationship Questionnaire (MBSRQ). The statistical population of this research includes all people in the non-clinical population who are over 15 years old living in Iran and who are members of at least one social network. The sampling process employed a convenience sampling method using the Green formula, which resulted in a sample size of 237 individuals. After data collection, data was subject to statistical analysis: Pearson’s correlation test and Sobel test.
Results
Concerning the relationship between social media use and depression, the analysis revealed that the relationship between the two variables is significant (P<0.001). Also, the results of the correlation test show that the value of the Pearson correlation coefficient between these two variables is equal to 0.592, which indicates a moderate and direct relationship between the two variables, meaning that with the increase in the use of social networks, the depression score also increases. Moreover, the significance level in the correlation test between the use of social networks and body image indicates the significance of the relationship between the two variables (-0.474, P<0.001). The table below presents the findings of the Pearson's correlation test.
Variable
Depression
Social media use
Body image
Depression
1.000
Social media use
(0,001> 0.592 (P
1.000
Body image
(0,001> 0.474 P(0-
(0.001> 0.474(P-
1.000
According to the regression coefficient test, the effect of using social media on depression is significant (T = 11.272), (P < 0.001) and since the value of the path coefficient is equal to 0.592, this effect is direct and average. Therefore, the use of social media has a positive and significant effect on depression. Also, according to the coefficient of determination (0.351), the variable of using social media predicts 35.1% of depression, which is considered an average value.
Model
Sum of squares
df
Mean square
F
Sig.
Regression
11865.11
1
11865.11
127.05
0.001) >P)
Residuals
21946.51
235
93.38
Total
33811.63
236
The results of investigating the mediating role of body image with the Sobel test indicate the indirect effect of body image on the relationship between social networks and depression (0.0894). Therefore, it can be claimed that body image plays a mediating role in the relationship between the use of social networks and depression among young people. Confirming the mediating role of body image means that a part of the effect of using social networks on increasing depression can be explained by reducing positive body image.
Mediating variable
Mediating effect
Std. Error of the Estimate
Lower Bootstrap
Upper Bootstrap
Z
Sig.
Body image
0.894
0.234
0.434
0.135
3.812
(0,001>P)
Conclusion
Considering the exponential increase in the number of users on social media sites, it is of prime importance to investigate the effects of this phenomenon on the changes in the psychological characteristics of people. These networks are effective in shaping and changing people's attitudes toward themselves and subsequently their feelings and moods by presenting various patterns. The present study was conducted to expand previous studies in the field of social media use, body image, and depression. In total, the findings of the research show that there is a positive and significant relationship between the amount of social network use and the level of depression. Concerning the relationship between the amount of use of social networks and depression and the mediating role of body image, The findings of the research are compatible with previous theories (theory of need satisfaction, Ideal internalization theory, Social comparison theory, etc.) and can be interpreted.
The environments and interactions in which people participate change people's attitudes towards themselves and life, especially when these interactions include diverse and sometimes contradictory ideas and patterns. Since online interactions provide users with numerous unlimited patterns, these communications are effective in the development of a person's attitude, mental image of his body, and self-worth. Therefore, active social media users are more likely to experience dissatisfaction with their current status and appearance due to the fact that these connections enable people to compare themselves with the ideals displayed around the world and experience feelings of despair and failure. As a result, raising people’s awareness about the accurate use of social networks seems to be integral. Extensive measures should be taken in society and the context of interactive groups such as schools or universities to promote social media literacy so that society will be able to mitigate the negative effects of social media use in the long run.
Keywords
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