O impacto das redes sociais na imagem corporal positiva e na auto estima dos estudantes do ensino superior

Social media increasingly influences societal values, emphasizing body image. Most studies in this field have focused on the negative effects of social media on body image, but it is also pertinent to explore the positive effects. The overall objective of this study was to understand the association between positive social media content and the body appreciation facet of positive body image and self-esteem among higher education students. Based on a quantitative methodology, this study adopted a descriptive correlational cross-sectional design. The sample was intentional, non-random for convenience, consisting of 228 university students aged 18 years or older. The data collection instruments used were the Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Social Media Questionnaire, the Body Appreciation Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The results revealed a positive and statistically significant correlation between exposure to positive body image content on social media and body appreciation. There was no significant moderating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between exposure to positive content on social media and body appreciation.