SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION AND BODY IMAGE DISTRESS AMONG PAKISTANI UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Abstract

This research investigated the relationship between social media addiction and body image distress among 386 Pakistani university students through a cross-sectional, correlational survey. The findings demonstrated that female respondents and the ones falling in the age group of 18–24 years were significantly inclined towards both higher level of social media addiction and the body image distress, whereas the academic qualification did not show any significant influence. Moreover, Pearson’s correlation followed by the regression analysis revealed moderate positive relationship between the two study variables, with social media addiction positively predicting body image distress among study participants. The study has contributed culturally-specific literature to the mental health discourse, highlighting the need for digital literacy programs.

BackgroundThe exponential growth of smartphones and social media has changed the dynamics of modern societies across the globe, influencing almost every walk of life ranging from social connectivity to business and education to healthcare (Ahmed et al., 2023; Ahmed, Hassan, et al., 2025; Ahmed & Yousaf, 2023; Khan & Ahmed, 2024; Sultan et al., 2023; Sultan & Ahmed, 2022; Younis & Ahmed, 2024). Besides many benefits, it has dramatically changed the psychosocial environment for users of digital device and platforms, particularly the young individuals. The youth make up the largest segment among the social media and smartphone users and come across curated online content that often promotes unrealistic beauty standards (Nisa et al., 2024). The constant digital connectivity, often described as social media addiction, fosters adverse mental health dilemmas such as depression, anxiety, and compromised self-esteem (Ahmed et al., 2025; Nisa et al., 2025). Instantaneously, the body image distress has been a pressing concern among young people that is often linked to compulsive behaviours of social media and smartphone users.