Association of Social Media User with Body Image Shame among University Students in Hail, Saudi Arabia.

Background: The high frequency of use of social media among students has prompted worries about its impact on attitudes toward body image. Previous research indicates that exposure to idealized body representations on platforms like Instagram and TikTok may lead to a distorted reflection of body image. This study explores the association between social media use and students' body image shame, aiming to understand how these dynamics affect mental health and well-being. Method: A study was conducted among university students; a total of 504 students were selected through stratified random sampling from different colleges of the university. Participants were recruited through campus-wide announcements and different social media applications. Data were analyzed and used correlation and regression analyses to identify a significant association between social media users and attitude toward body image shame. Results: The results found that a distinguished frequency of body image shame among study participants, with 81.0% experiencing internal shame and 74.8% reporting external shame. Used of social media was significantly associated with body image shame, as participants with high social media usage (>3 hours per day) had increased odds of experiencing internal (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) = 19.48, Conclusion: The study results found a positive association between social media habit and body image shame among students. Higher social media engagement correlates with increased internal and external shame, particularly among older and married participants. Awareness programs and interventions are needed to promote healthy social media habits.