Date of Presentation
4-26-2019 2:00 PM
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Eve Sledjeski, PhD
Poster Abstract
Body image, the opinion someone has of their own body, is an important construct to study as a poor body image is associated with many aspects of general well-being, such as poor quality of life (Duarte, Ferreira, Trindade, & Pinto-Gouveia, 2015; Griffiths et al., 2017), poor self-esteem (Furnham, Badmin & Sneade), and eating disorders (Polivy & Herman, 2002). Researchers have sought to identify factors predictive of the development body image in an effort to provide evidence-based programs to promote a healthy body image. Some factors associated with body image are social media usage, personality, and stress. In the present study we used a self-report questionnaire to measure social media use (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat), body image, personality, and stress. We anticipated that higher levels of social media usage would be associated with a worse body image. Furthermore, we investigated the potential moderating roles of personality (i.e. neuroticism and conscientiousness) and perceived stress on the relationship between social media usage and body image. More specifically, it was believed that the relationship between social media usage and body image will be strongest in individuals with high levels of neuroticism, low levels of conscientiousness, and high levels of perceived stress. Results will be discussed.
Student Keywords
Social Media, Body Image, Stress, Personality
Disciplines
Psychology
Document Type
Poster
Included in
Social media usage and body image: The role of personality and stress
Body image, the opinion someone has of their own body, is an important construct to study as a poor body image is associated with many aspects of general well-being, such as poor quality of life (Duarte, Ferreira, Trindade, & Pinto-Gouveia, 2015; Griffiths et al., 2017), poor self-esteem (Furnham, Badmin & Sneade), and eating disorders (Polivy & Herman, 2002). Researchers have sought to identify factors predictive of the development body image in an effort to provide evidence-based programs to promote a healthy body image. Some factors associated with body image are social media usage, personality, and stress. In the present study we used a self-report questionnaire to measure social media use (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat), body image, personality, and stress. We anticipated that higher levels of social media usage would be associated with a worse body image. Furthermore, we investigated the potential moderating roles of personality (i.e. neuroticism and conscientiousness) and perceived stress on the relationship between social media usage and body image. More specifically, it was believed that the relationship between social media usage and body image will be strongest in individuals with high levels of neuroticism, low levels of conscientiousness, and high levels of perceived stress. Results will be discussed.