The mediating role of social appearance anxiety in the relationship between social media addiction and depressive symptoms

This study examined the mediating role of social appearance anxiety in the relationship between social media addiction and depressive symptoms. The sample consisted of 399 young adults. Analyses revealed significant positive correlations between social media addiction, social appearance anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, social appearance anxiety was found to play a partial mediating role in the relationship between social media addiction and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that social media use may increase depressive symptoms not only directly but also indirectly through appearance-related concerns. The results highlight the importance of considering social appearance anxiety in interventions aimed at reducing the negative effects of social media addiction. This research contributes to the literature and provides valuable insights for mental health professionals in understanding the risk factors associated with social media addiction. Keywords Social media addiction, social appearance anxiety, depressive symptoms