Currently submitted to: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Nov 12, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: Nov 17, 2025 - Jan 12, 2026
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Does Social media use and Cyberchondria contribute to increased body image concerns and mental health issues in adolescents
ABSTRACT
Background:
The use of social media and access to the web has grown significantly in recent years, and this can affect mental health, especially in adolescents.
Objective:
This study was conducted to examine the impact of internet usage and cyberchondria on the mental health and body image concerns of adolescents. Additionally, it explored the mediating role of family support in the relationship between internet usage, cyberchondria, mental health, and body image concerns based on path analysis.
Methods:
The present study was a cross-sectional study involving girls and boys aged 13 to 15. Sampling was done using a stratified random sampling method and was proportional to gender. The sample size in this study was 287 adolescents. Data collection tools included the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and scales related to social media use and cyberchondria. Descriptive, correlational, and regression statistical methods were used to analyze the data.
Results:
The findings indicate a significant positive association between the severity of Internet addiction and the severity of Cyberchondria among adolescents (r=0.276; P<0.01). The severity of Internet addiction is also significantly correlated with worse mental health and body image concerns. The relationship between internet addiction and family support is an inverse relationship. The severity of Cyberchondria is positively correlated with worsening mental health and body image concerns. The indirect pathway from IAT to BIC and GHQ through Family Support was significant. Upon the inclusion of the mediator variable within the analytical model, the path coefficient remained statistically significant. This phenomenon is classified as partial mediation.
Conclusions:
The findings of the current study on adolescents revealed that Internet addiction and the severity of Cyberchondria are linked to mental health challenges and concerns about body image. However, when family support was incorporated into the analysis, the outcomes shifted. Family support emerged as a mitigating factor, playing a significant role in reducing mental health issues and improving body image perceptions. Clinical Trial: None
Citation
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