Investigating the influence of Body Image Concern on self-esteem and social isolation among youth; mediating role of social media exposure

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of Body Image Concern on Self-Esteem and Social Isolation among youth, with the mediating role of Social Media Exposure. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed using a non-probability judgmental sampling technique. The sample consisted of 123 participants, including 89 females and 34 males, aged between 18 and 40 years (M = 27.65, SD = 5.91). The Satisfaction with Appearance Scale-U was used to assess participants’ satisfaction with their appearance, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale measured overall self-worth, the UCLA Loneliness Scale assessed subjective feelings of social isolation, and the Social Networking Usage Questionnaire evaluated individuals’ patterns and motivations for social media use.

The findings revealed a significant negative correlation between body image concern and self-esteem, suggesting that higher body image concerns are associated with lower self-esteem. A significant positive correlation was found between body image concern and social isolation, indicating that individuals with greater body image concerns experience higher levels of social isolation. Additionally, self-esteem and social isolation showed a significant negative correlation, suggesting that lower self-esteem is related to greater social isolation. Furthermore, gender differences were observed, with females reporting higher social media exposure than males. Overall, the results highlight the crucial role of social media exposure in shaping youth’s body image perceptions, self-esteem, and social connectedness.

Keywords: Body image concern, self-esteem, social isolation, social media exposure