The Impact Of Social Media On Body Image Perception And Its Association With Anxiety And Loneliness: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: A great deal of research has been conducted on the effects of social media on psychological well-being due to its pervasive influence on interpersonal interactions and self-representation. This overview draws on a number of studies looking at the intricate relationships between social media use and psychological outcomes such social anxiety, loneliness, problems with body image, and low self-esteem.

Objective: Using data from a wide range of academic studies, this study seeks to present an overview of the complex relationship between social media usage patterns and their psychological effects.

Method: The research employs an extensive literature search strategy, utilizing databases such as PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Keywords include digital communication, mental health, social media, and relevant populations. Selection criteria encompass peer-reviewed journals, empirical research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and qualitative inquiries. Quality assessment criteria involve peer review, methodological strictness, transparency, appropriateness of research design, knowledge contribution, and adherence to ethical principles.

Findings: The statistics from the data set reveal the distribution of studies across databases. The systematic literature review includes studies employing various research methods, such as systematic reviews, quantitative research, and qualitative analyses. Findings comprised on n= 19, consistently indicate connections between social media use and adverse outcomes like body dissatisfaction, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Mediating factors, including stress, social support, and fear of COVID-19, underscore the complexity of the relationship between social media use and mental health.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this abstract highlights the intricate connection between social media use and psychological health, highlighting the necessity for thorough treatments and more study to address the negative impacts of excessive social media use. It advances our understanding of the complex processes influencing people's mental health in the digital era by combining many points of view.