Publicação
Problematic social media use and body image: the moderating role of susceptibility to digital influencers
| dc.contributor.advisor | Dores, Artemisa Rocha | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Almeida, Raquel Simões de | |
| dc.contributor.author | Alves, Isa Maria Brandão | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-12T10:56:36Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-03-12T10:56:36Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-11-26 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Social media has become a pervasive influence on body image, raising concerns about the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship. This study examined whether susceptibility to digital influencers moderates the association between social media use and body image perception. It also investigated the effects of gender and age on these relationships and assessed the contribution of anxiety and depression as predictors of body image dissatisfaction. This study included 177 participants (79,1% women, 20.3% men, 0,6% other) aged 18-73 years (M=28,69, SD=11.70). participants completed an online survey including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Susceptibility to being Influenced by social media Influencers Scale (SUSIS), the Multidimensional Social Media Intensity Scale (MFIS, adapted for general platforms), the Internet Severity and Activities Addiction Questionnaire (ISAAQ), and the Body Image Satisfaction Questionnaire (BISQ). Data were analysed using Pearson correlations and hierarchical multiple regression models. Results showed no significant effects for general social media intensity as measured by the MFIS. However, problematic internet use was negatively associated with body image satisfaction, and this relationship was moderated by susceptibility to influencers. Across all models, anxiety and depression emerged as consistent predictors of body dissatisfaction. These findings suggest that body image dissatisfaction is not merely a function of intensive social media use but rather reflects the interplay betwen problematic internet behaviours and heightened susceptibility to influencer contente. The results highlight the importance of media literacy, platform accountability, and integrative therapeutic strategies to foster healthier interactions with social media. | eng |
| dc.identifier.tid | 204200822 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/32108 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.rights.uri | N/A | |
| dc.subject | Social media | |
| dc.subject | Digital influencers | |
| dc.subject | Body image | |
| dc.subject | Mental health | |
| dc.subject | Media literacy | |
| dc.title | Problematic social media use and body image: the moderating role of susceptibility to digital influencers | eng |
| dc.type | master thesis | |
| dspace.entity.type | Publication | |
| thesis.degree.name | Mestre em Terapia Ocupacional – Reabilitação e Saúde Mental |
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