Investigating the relation between social media, dating app use and body image dimensions: A cross-country study

IF 2.5 2区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

British Journal of Health Psychology Pub Date : 2026-03-30 DOI:10.1111/bjhp.70067

Gianluca Lo Coco, Rachel Rodgers, Emily A. Harris, Charlotte Markey, Alvaro Sicilia, Annie Aimé, Jacinthe Dion, Laura Salerno, Naomi Hayami-Chisuwa, Hannah J. White, Carolyn R. Plateau, Antonio Granero-Gallegos, Christophe Maïano, Gian Mauro Manzoni, Giada Pietrabissa, Catherine Bégin, Marie-Éve Blackburn, Esben Strodl, Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Marita McCabe

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

Social media emphasize appearance ideals, and their use may be associated with body dissatisfaction. To date, however, data on the relationships specific to certain platforms such as dating apps are scarce, as are cross-country comparisons and studies including men. Thus, this study examined the relationship between social media and dating app use and body image among young adults across eight countries and considered gender and country as potential moderators.

Methods

A sample of 5933 young adults (mean age = 21.54 years; 67.6% female) from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United States completed an online survey. Mixed-effects regression models tested the effects of time on social media and dating apps on body image outcomes.

Results

Longer time on social media was associated with lower body satisfaction and body appreciation, and a higher drive for leanness, thin-ideal internalization and appearance comparison. Longer time spent on dating apps was associated with lower body appreciation and appearance comparison, and a higher drive for muscularity. The associations between time spent on social media, dating apps and drive for muscularity were stronger for men than for women. Few variations across countries emerged.

Conclusions

Greater social media and dating app use may be related to poor body image and related indicators across countries, particularly among young men.

Abstract Image

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调查社交媒体、约会应用程序使用与身体形象维度之间的关系：一项跨国研究。

目的：社交媒体强调理想的外表，他们的使用可能与身体不满有关。然而，到目前为止，关于特定平台（如约会应用程序）的关系的数据很少，跨国比较和包括男性在内的研究也很少。因此，这项研究调查了八个国家的年轻人中社交媒体和约会应用程序使用与身体形象之间的关系，并认为性别和国家是潜在的调节因素。方法：对来自澳大利亚、比利时、加拿大、中国、意大利、日本、西班牙和美国的5933名年轻人（平均年龄21.54岁，67.6%为女性）进行在线调查。混合效应回归模型测试了使用社交媒体和约会软件的时间对身体形象结果的影响。结果：社交媒体使用时间越长，下半身满意度和身体欣赏程度越高，对苗条、瘦型理想内化和外貌比较的驱动程度越高。花在约会软件上的时间越长，对下半身的欣赏和外表的比较就越多，对肌肉的追求也越强烈。花在社交媒体、约会软件上的时间与追求肌肉发达之间的关联，男性比女性更强。各国之间几乎没有什么差异。结论：各国，尤其是年轻男性，更多地使用社交媒体和约会应用程序可能与身体形象和相关指标不佳有关。

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来源期刊

British Journal of Health Psychology PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

14.10

自引率

1.30%

发文量

期刊介绍： The focus of the British Journal of Health Psychology is to publish original research on various aspects of psychology that are related to health, health-related behavior, and illness throughout a person's life. The journal specifically seeks articles that are based on health psychology theory or discuss theoretical matters within the field.