Examination of adolescent and young adults' social media usage habits and body perception, eating habits and mood characteristics

In this study, the habits of social media usage among adolescents and young adults, and their effects on body image, eating habits, and mood characteristics were examined. The sample consisted of 248 individuals, including 113 adolescents and 135 young adults who voluntarily participated from Istanbul and Bursa. Socio-demographic data of the participants were collected through a Personal Information Form prepared by the researcher. Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to evaluate the emotional states of the individuals, while the Ben-Tovim Walker Body Attitude Scale and Emotional Eating Scale were employed to assess the effects of social media usage on body image and eating habits. A relational screening model was used for data analysis. Parametric tests were conducted to determine the relationships between the scales, using the Cronbach's alpha value for internal consistency. Independent samples t-test was utilized for comparisons between demographic variables, and one-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc test was used for multiple comparisons. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0, and the relationships between these variables were revealed. According to the results of the study, significant relationships were found between social media usage habits and body image, eating habits, and mood characteristics with the gender variable factor. A positive weak relationship was identified between depression and emotional eating habits, a positive strong relationship between depression and anxiety, and a positive moderate relationship between emotional eating habits and anxiety. Comparisons based on gender showed that men had significantly higher average scores in the body image degradation dimension than women. In contrast, women scored significantly higher than men in the attractiveness dimension. Men had significantly higher scores than women in depression, while women had higher scores than men in emotional eating habits. Women also had significantly higher scores than men in anxiety. Another result indicated that significant relationships were found between social media usage habits and body image, eating habits, and mood characteristics with the age variable factor. The study compared body image, mood, and eating behaviors of individuals aged 16-18 and 19-25 based on the time spent on social media using one-way ANOVA. Among the 16-18 age group, individuals who spent more than 7 hours a day on social media had the highest scores in the body image fatness dimension compared to other groups, and this relationship was found to be significant. Those who spent 5-7 hours a day on social media had the highest scores in the body image degradation dimension, and this relationship was also significant. Individuals who spent 2-3 hours a day on social media had the highest scores in the attractiveness and strong and fit body dimensions, and these relationships were found to be significant. Individuals who spent more than 7 hours a day on social media had the highest scores in depression, emotional eating, and anxiety, with these relationships being significant as well. Similarly, in the 19-25 age group, individuals who spent more than 7 hours a day on social media had the highest scores in the body image fatness dimension, and this relationship was significant. Those who spent 5-7 hours a day on social media had the highest scores in the body image degradation dimension, and this relationship was significant. Individuals who spent 2-3 hours a day on social media had the highest scores in the attractiveness and strong and fit body dimensions, and these relationships were significant. Individuals who spent more than 7 hours a day on social media had the highest scores in depression, emotional eating, and anxiety, with these relationships being significant. The increase in social media usage time caused deterioration in body image, fluctuations in emotional states, and negative changes in eating habits among adolescents and young adults. It was found that individuals who spent more time on social media had increased levels of depression and anxiety, negatively affected body image, and more frequent emotional eating behaviors. These findings provide significant data for understanding the psychological and behavioral impacts of social media usage on adolescents and young adults. In conclusion, the methods used in the research were consistent and complementary, increasing the reliability of the findings. The data collected through questionnaires and scales were supported by correlation analyses, and a comprehensive analysis was conducted. Thus, the effects of social media usage on body image, emotional states, and eating habits of adolescents and young adults were thoroughly revealed.