Social media use and adolescents’ self-esteem and appearance satisfaction: The moderating role of school motivation
1 Regent’s University, London.
2 University College, London.
Research Article
International Journal of Frontline Research in Science and Technology, 2022, 01(02), 001–013.
Article DOI: 10.56355/ijfrst.2022.1.2.0028
Publication history:
Received on 25 October 2022; revised on 03 December 2022; accepted on 05 December 2022
Abstract:
Background: This large-scale investigation speaks to the growing concern associated with the use of social media on the psychological wellbeing of adolescents. The study explored time spent using social networking sites as a predictor of teenagers’ self-esteem and appearance satisfaction and the protective role that motivation in school might play. Method: The sample comprised 10,546 adolescents at age 11 and 14 years, from the UK’s Millennium Cohort Study. Multiple linear regression determined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between use of social media and self-esteem and appearance satisfaction. Time spent using social networking sites significantly predicted teenagers’ self-esteem and appearance satisfaction levels. Results: A significant interaction emerged with school motivation and social networking in relation to appearance satisfaction, suggesting that school motivation may help to buffer the negative effects of online social networking. Conclusion: In response to the ongoing concerns around the increase in adolescents who struggle with difficulties relating to their mental health, the finger of blame is frequently pointed to screen-based methods of social communication. It is anticipated that present findings will prompt the development of new interventions that target time spent using online social networking sites, particularly among teenage girls, during this new era of COVID-19-induced social isolation.
Keywords:
Social media; Teenager; Self-esteem; Motivation; School; Appearance; Satisfaction
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Copyright information:
Copyright © 2022 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0