Explaining personality functioning through sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, body appreciation and social media usage among female adolescents in Pakistan

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of this study was to explore the complex relationship between sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, personality functioning, body appreciation, social media usage, and age among female adolescents. Methods and materials. ESM Social Media Use Questionnaire (E-SMUQ), Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), Sociocultural Attitudes towards Appearance Questionnaire-4-Revised Female (SATAQ-4R), Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis Structure Questionnaire (OPD-SQS). A cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected from 134 female students aged 11 to 20 years (M = 16,8; SD = 2,10) using a purposive sampling technique. The participants were enrolled in various educational institutions, and the data collection was conducted through a survey. Results. The results indicated that sociocultural attitudes toward appearance significantly influence personality functioning, and this relationship is mediated by body appreciation. Social media usage was found to moderate the relationship between sociocultural attitudes and body appreciation. Additionally, the mediated relationship between body appreciation and personality functioning was moderated by age. Conclusion. The findings suggest the need for interventions that address the negative impact of sociocultural pressure regarding appearance on body appreciation and personality functioning among female adolescents. The role of social media and age-specific strategies in promoting positive personality functioning and self-esteem was emphasized, highlighting the importance of open communication among adolescents.