Digital Detriments: Unraveling the Psychological Consequences of Social Media
Open accessAbstract
This research paper investigates social media's impact on mental health. Given the rising prevalence within social media use, Concern about its implications on mental health is rising. The paper presents a systematic review of the literature, synthesizing findings from empirical studies that investigate the Mental health and social media use are related outcomes. The paper examines both favorable and unfavorable characteristics of social media use, including its potential for social support and connection, as well as its association with negative outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and social isolation. The paper also examines potential moderating factors, such as age, gender, and the type of social media platform used. Overall, the findings suggest despite the fact that social media might improve mental health, it can also be associated with negative outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations such as adolescents and young adults. The significance of these studies for population safety and potential future study avenues are discussed in the paper's conclusion.
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The impact of social media on body image and mental health varies significantly across cultural and gender lines.
“The impact of social media on body image and mental health varies significantly across cultural and gender lines, underscoring the complexity of these phenomena and the influence of societal norms and values in shaping individual responses to digital content.”
From Body Perceptions and Psychological Well-Being: A Review of the Impact of Social Media and Physical Measurements on Self-Esteem and Mental Health with a Focus on Body Image Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors (2024) · cites this paper as [48]
The Findings of the Study (§4.1; page unavailable) say that social media’s effect on mental health may differ by gender, and the Review of Literature (§3; page unavailable) describes gender differences in mental-health outcomes. The paper does not establish significant differences across cultural lines or show that cultural and gender differences apply to body image; it also does not attribute those differences to societal norms and values. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredBody image dissatisfaction can trigger negative psychological effects, including heightened stress, withdrawal from social activities, and risky behaviors aimed at altering physical appearance.
“Conversely, body image dissatisfaction can trigger a cascade of negative psychological effects, including heightened stress, withdrawal from social activities, and risky behaviors aimed at altering one’s physical appearance.”
From Body Perceptions and Psychological Well-Being: A Review of the Impact of Social Media and Physical Measurements on Self-Esteem and Mental Health with a Focus on Body Image Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors (2024) · cites this paper as [48]
Section 4.2 (page unavailable) says idealised social-media portrayals can lead to dissatisfaction and low self-worth, which can in turn lead to anxiety and depression. The Review of Literature discusses stress and altered photographs, but does not link stress or withdrawal from social activities to body-image dissatisfaction, or describe risky behavior to alter physical appearance. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThese psychological states can influence long-term mental health and well-being.
“These psychological states can extend far beyond transient moods, potentially influencing long-term mental health and well-being [48].”
From Body Perceptions and Psychological Well-Being: A Review of the Impact of Social Media and Physical Measurements on Self-Esteem and Mental Health with a Focus on Body Image Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors (2024) · cites this paper as [48]
Section 4.2 (page not provided) says feelings of dissatisfaction and low self-worth may lead to anxiety and depression, supporting an effect beyond a passing mood. The paper does not establish that these effects persist over the long term. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe interpretation and internalization of social media content are profoundly affected by cultural contexts, with some cultures emphasizing specific body ideals more strongly than others.
“The interpretation and internalization of social media content are profoundly affected by cultural contexts, with some cultures emphasizing specific body ideals more strongly than others [48].”
From Body Perceptions and Psychological Well-Being: A Review of the Impact of Social Media and Physical Measurements on Self-Esteem and Mental Health with a Focus on Body Image Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors (2024) · cites this paper as [48]
The Review of Literature discusses idealized social media portrayals, social comparison, and self-esteem, but does not address how cultural context affects interpretation or internalization, or whether cultures differ in their emphasis on body ideals. Searches for cultural context, body ideals, and beauty standards found no passage addressing those points; page numbers were unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
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Merino, M., Tornero-Aguilera, J. F., Rubio-Zarapuz, A., Villanueva-Tobaldo, C. V., Martín-Rodríguez, A., & Clemente-Suárez, V. J. (2024) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare12141396 · Cited by 349 · see citing works
“The interpretation and internalization of social media content are profoundly affected by cultural contexts, with some cultures emphasizing specific body ideals more strongly than others [48].”
Background
- Authors
- Nagar, P.
- Affiliations
- Galgotias University (IN)
- Corresponding author
- Nagar, Parul
- Venue
- Lloyd Business Review
- Publisher
- Lloyd Business School
- Published
- 2023-08-03
- Pages
- 1-14
- ISSN
- 2583-763X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4385702175
- Cited by
- 5
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 2.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- Lloyd Business Review (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
- Keywords
- social media use, mental health, depression, anxiety, social isolation, social support, adolescents, young adults, moderators, age and gender differences, platform type
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