What is the effect of social networks?

The social networks It is often flagged as the cause of all kinds of ills: misinformation, isolation and, in this case, the increased prevalence of eating disorders. They are usually scapegoats for finding simple answers to complex questions. A review of recent literature It attempts to assess the associations between social networking use, psychopathological factors and the development of eating disorders. It identifies five factors that lie at the heart of the links between these different parameters: the time we spend on social networks, the use we make of these platforms and the interactions we have within them, the social and cultural influences and the impact of self-esteem and body image satisfaction.

What is this review based on?

Social networks have now become an integral part of our lives. Based on this observation, it seems consistent that research in psychology is concerned with the effects it can have on our development, mental health, or well-being. In this field of research, the results obtained so far indicate that the use of social networks will have positive consequences to some extent if the goal is to create connections and interactions with other people while it will be rather negative. Comparative and competitive spirit. To answer a question about the impact of social networks on the development of eating disorders, researchers adopted the PECO method for Population, exposure, comparison and outcomes (Population, exposure, comparison and outcome).

Researchers method

In a systematic review, it is important to have certain criteria for “not mixing tea towels and tea towels” (in other words, studies that are unrelated to each other). The included studies had to limit participants’ use of social networks (such as last yearwe use the feminine here for representation despite, remember, the presence of erectile dysfunction, which is more prevalent and often invisible), including a measurement tool for reporting the presence of ED or associated symptoms such as body dissatisfaction, whether published article in English or Spanish and was not published before 2004, in other words, before the advent of Facebook.

These studies also had to meet the exclusion criteria. Therefore, it should not come from other types of documents than scholarly articles published in peer-reviewed journals, and should be primarily qualitative, not relevant. Applications Meetings or chats on forums, don’t study groups on social networks you make Prevent With regard to eating disorders, a particular demographic such as high-ranking athletes with a higher prevalence of eating disorders is not studied, and ultimately it is not a question of validating psychological questionnaires.

Social media: Prioritizing quality over quantity

After data extraction and statistical analysis, the investigators will draw several conclusions. First, the more time we spend on social media, the more likely we are to develop an eating disorder. Obviously this depends on the news feed we see in scrolling. The mechanism behind this association, according to the authors, is related to the internalization of a model slimmingwhich increases concerns about one’s own body and can lead to restrictive behaviors aimed at achieving this ideal.

Second, the more we use social media to compare ourselves to others without interacting with them, the more likely we are to experience physical dissatisfaction and self-esteem. It also shows that there is a tag that says share photos. The mechanism behind which you can hide will be the anticipation of validation, reactions to others through likes and comments. However, the correlation between the number Personal Photos Common and inconsistent TCA development. On the other hand, there is a link between the number of unshared selfies and paying attention to and observing one’s own body. Negative comments can lead to bouts of dietary restrictions. However, social networks are sometimes used by patients and professionals in this field to create interaction and encourage each other in facing problems. Finally, social and cultural background also plays a role. Within African American communities, there appears to be much less interest in the lean ideal. This situation is confirmed by one study.

The vicious circle of social networks

As we have said and as described in this literature review, negative social comparison largely determines the influence of social networks on the development of eating disorders. But it is not enough to say that everything depends on how we use it, because in fact we use it mainly for this purpose and some of it is built in such a way that it lasts. Indeed, a vicious cycle arises and begins with a weak cycle self esteemStrong physical dissatisfaction and dietary restrictions. Constant comparisons on social networks in particular Instagram and others tik tok, whose operation largely leads to this phenomenon, feeds these feelings. But social networks are not guilty per se. Any environment that promotes this kind of negative comparison has the potential to generate this vicious cycle. That is why in the future, it remains for us to create, in reality as in virtual reality, healthy spaces for all.