Exploring the Links Between Social Media Addiction, Body Satisfaction, and Subjective Well-Being Among Adolescents

Abstract The current study examined Social media addiction, body satisfaction, and subjective wellbeing among adolescents. For this purpose, the sample for the current study was calculated by the G power formula (F, t, χ2, Z, and exact tests) 300 participants were selected through the convenient sampling technique (139 Boys and 161 Girls), adolescents with the age range of 10-19 from different colleges and universities of Faisalabad. The Co-relational research design was used in the current study. The variables under research were measured using the following scales: The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (Andreassen et al., 2016), the Body Shape Questionnaire (Cooper et al., 1987), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg,1965), the Work & Social Adjustment Scale (Marks et al., 2002), ICP Subjective Well-Being Scale (Diener's, 1984). Using SPSS version 26, descriptive statistics, correlation, and t-tests were used to evaluate the current research hypothesis. Results of the correlation analysis revealed that there is a significant negative relationship between social media addiction and body satisfaction. In contrast, body satisfaction and subjective well-being were significantly positively related, and subjective well-being with body satisfaction showed no ties. The findings will benefit adolescents and management in schools and universities by providing a healthy environment and social skills to reduce social media addiction. Excessive social media use negatively impacts adolescents' body satisfaction and overall well-being. For adolescents, there is a need for educational programs and open communication to promote healthy online habits and to reduce social media's negative effects, with parental support playing a crucial role. Keywords: Social Media, Media Addiction, Body Satisfaction, Subjective Well-being.