Haddad, Grace
(2022)
The Impact of Social Media on Body Dissatisfaction and Dysmorphia in Adolescents in the U.S.
Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.
Abstract
The mental health burden of social media on adolescent development has become a subject of interest in recent years. Adolescents in particular use social media to portray idealized versions of themselves and their appearance. Consequently, this has led to increased concern that social media use in adolescents may be linked to body dissatisfaction and body dysmorphia. The aim of this paper is to examine the correlation between social media use in adolescents and presentation of body dissatisfaction and/or dysmorphia. A critical literature synthesis was performed on the current compendium demonstrating links between social media use and body dysmorophia in adolescents in the U.S. Evidence suggests that there is a positive correlation between adolescent social media use and increased prevalence of body dissatisfaction/dysmorphia. The public health significance of this paper is to highlight this important trend in order to educate and protect young individuals in regard to the risks of social media, as well as improve their mental health and wellbeing. This essay also aims to inform interventions that reduce the incidence of mental health disorders or illnesses that may result from the negative effects of social media on adolescents. Interventions that target social-media use including screen time limits, and positive parental involvement may reduce the negative body-image related effects of social media. Understanding the connection between social media use and body dysmorphia will help inform longitudinal studies and additional interventions to improve mental health outcomes in this vulnerable population.
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Details
| Item Type: |
Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper
(Master Essay)
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| Contributors: |
| Contribution | Contributors Name | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Committee Chair | Hawk, Mary | mary.hawk@pitt.edu | mary.hawk | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Hill, Ashley | avh16@pitt.edu | avh16 | UNSPECIFIED |
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| Date: |
17 May 2022 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Submission Date: |
28 April 2022 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
48 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master Essay |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Body Dysmorphia, Body Dissatisfaction, Adolescents, Social Media |
| Date Deposited: |
17 May 2022 18:03 |
| Last Modified: |
17 May 2022 18:03 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/42803 |
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