The relationship between beauty filters and body image: A field study on university students through the instagram application

The integration of beauty filters into the culture of aesthetic appreciation has reshaped digital self-presentation on both visual and psychosocial levels. This study aims to examine the effects of beauty filters on individuals' body image within the context of social media platforms where digital visuality is intensively consumed. The primary focus of the research is to explore how beauty filters influence individuals' digital self-presentation and how this is connected to body satisfaction, social comparison behaviors, and aesthetic concerns. A quantitative research method was adopted, and data were collected through a questionnaire administered to 177 participants. The sample consisted of students enrolled in the Faculty of Communication at a university in Turkey. The questionnaire included scales measuring Instagram usage frequency, filter and effect usage, body image perception, and emotional responses. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and frequency distributions. The findings revealed that the use of beauty filters and effects was more prevalent among female participants. A statistically significant and negative correlation was found between gender and filter use, indicating that women use filters more frequently than men. On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between educational level and filter usage. Results from the body image scale showed that some participants were dissatisfied with their physical appearance and tended to compare themselves with idealized body images presented on social media.