Moderating Role Of Body Appreciation On The Relationship Between Body Esteem And Social Media Usage Of Undergraduate Students of Dennis Osadebe University Asaba

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of social media has significantly altered the communication landscape, particularly among young adults and adolescents. The study examined the moderating role of body appreciation on the relationship between body esteem and social media usage of Undergraduate students of Dennis Osadebe University Asaba. A total of one hundred and twenty-six (126) undergraduates drawn from Dennis Osadebe University Asaba served as participants for the study. Accidental sampling technique was used in selecting the participants. The participants consisted of 35 (27.8%) male and 91 (72.2%) female students. The participants’ ages range from 19 to 29 years with a mean age of 23.90 and a standard deviation of 3.40. Three instruments were used in the study: Body appreciation Scale, Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults and The Social Media Use Scale. The study adopted correlational design and Multiple Linear Regressions. The results showed that be-appearance of dimension of body esteem had positive significant prediction on social media usage at (F_6, 119) β= .05, t= .59, p<.01. Be-weight of dimension of body esteem predicted social media usage negatively at (F_6, 119) β= -.21, t=  1.76, p<.01. Be-attribution of dimension of body esteem predicted social media usage at (F_6, 119) β= β= -.07, t=  -.52, p<.01. The moderating results showed that body appreciation negatively moderated interaction between be-appearance of dimension of body esteem and social media usage at (F_6, 119) β= -.01, t=  -.13, p<.01. Body appreciation negatively moderated interaction between be-weight of dimension of body esteem and social media usage at (F_6, 119) β= -.04, t=  -.30, p<.01. Body appreciation positively moderated interaction between be-attribution of dimension of body esteem and social media usage at (F_6, 119) β= .19, t=  -1.49, p<.01. The findings suggest that fostering body appreciation could serve as a protective factor, helping students maintain positive self-concepts despite the challenges posed by social media. These insights have important implications for mental health interventions and educational strategies aimed at improving body image and overall well-being among university students.Hence, the study recommends that social media having positive benefits for undergraduate students should be condemned rather be encouraged by boosting the body appreciation of undergraduate students to produce positive body esteem.