Journal of Psychiatry and Psychological Sciences

ABSTRACT

Social media has become a dominant influence in adolescent’s daily lives, particularly among teenage girls, where exposure to unrealistic beauty standards may negatively affect mental health and eating behaviors. This research paper examines this relationship between social media, mental health and dieting among teenagers ages 15-20 years old in Lebanon. A quantitative research approach was employed using an anonymous Likert-scale survey administered through snowball sampling to 40 female participants from middle and high school settings. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and graphical representation of participant responses across age groups. Additionally, a qualitative review of recent literature was conducted to contextualize the findings. The aim of this research is to raise awareness on how social media impacts the mental health of teenagers, leading to bad eating habits. The findings depicted that participants reported experiences related to body dissatisfaction, anxiety surrounding online self-presentation, and pressure to conform to idealized body standards associated with social media use. Although the findings do not establish a direct causal relationship, participants reported body image concerns and appearance-related pressures that may be associated with restrictive dieting patterns and psychological distress. The study concludes that adolescent girls remain highly vulnerable to appearance-related pressures amplified through social media platforms. The research recommends strengthening media literacy programs, promoting positive body image education, and increasing mental health awareness interventions targeting teenage girls.

Keywords: Social Media; Adolescent Girls; Eating Disorder; Body Image; Beauty Standards; Mental Health