A influência do uso do instagram na satisfação corporal dos seus usuários

Abstract

Social media have changed human relationships significantly because they have enabled the mediation of communication. Thus, the core of the research in question focuses on how social comparison with other people interferes with self-perception about the appearance of those who use Instagram and if this has any influence on feelings such as body dissatisfaction, dysmorphism, or depression. The guiding question was: How does the use of Instagram impact the self-perception of the bodies of its users? Moreover, the general objective is to understand how social comparison interferes with the self-image of users of Instagram and if this collaborates with negative feelings such as body dissatisfaction, depression, and dysmorphism. As for the method, this is quantitative research, in which a survey was made through questionnaires to Instagram users. The application of the questionnaire in the final model was started on April 26, 2022, and ended on June 10, 2023. In this regard, 434 responses were obtained, however, people who did not agree to participate in the survey, who did not use Instagram, and minors were excluded. With that, the final sample was 382 people. The data were analyzed using the SmartPLS software, in its most recent version (version 4.0.9.3). The results indicate that the use of Instagram has a positive influence on Social Comparison in terms of physical appearance (Body Comparison), that the use of Instagram has a positive effect on Dysmorphic Concern, and that the latter negatively influences Body Satisfaction. This shows that the constructs were able to demonstrate the relationships that are established in this network in a satisfactory manner.