CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

“Social media has created jealous behavior over illusions. Sadly, some are

envious of things, relationships & lifestyles that don’t even exist.”

-Anonymous

In this techy-advanced era, social media is one way to entertain, reach out

and connect with people. It has been a medium to better the world. This may

seem a blessing to others but a curse to some. Social Media isn’t all rainbows

and butterflies. Media is the most influential platform especially regarding ideal

body type and how a perfect body is conveyed. Yet, the body ideals portrayed in

social media has high influence of the body issues of men and women. Media

portrays pictures that assures social acceptance for one to become desirable

therefore one is pressured to get such appearances and compare each other thus

promoting dissatisfaction of self.

According to a report commissioned by Dove (1997), “Unrealistic

standards set by social media and advertising is one of the biggest problems

facing the world today that one of every two women feel worse about

themselves after looking at images of attractive women in magazines.”

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Though disturbing, the result is no surprise, considering the rise of the use of

social media causing increase pressure to girls and women of today.

As social media plays an important role in the lives of adolescent young men

and women, the influence of how body is perceived continues. In 2011 a study

conducted by University of Hafia revealed that the more time teenagers spent on

social media websites, the more risk of developing negative body image. (Tackett,

2019)

Many people struggle on how they perceive of their body because of Social

Media. Stress even becomes heavy because of it. Every day, people are exposed to

bodies like the Khardashians and Jenners which are causing women to compare their

own bodies to them. Needless to say, it affects how one perceives of herself. The

most affected people of this are the young ones, especially girls most inclined to

Social Media. In the long run, this may cause harm than good.

The Philippines is considered to be the Social Media capital of the world. And

unsurprising because of the prominent ideal body types and standardized body seen

in various social media platforms, it was found that girls who read articles on dieting

and weight loss are 6 times more likely to have image issues engaging eating habits.

(Galivan, 2018)

This is just the beginning of various body image issues waiting to be born

because of body dissatisfaction that are often fatal than helpful. Even in schools, this

is a ringing problem. More students are body conscious and trying hard to be socially

acceptance in image.

This study aims to know how Social Media impacts the student’s body image and

will prove that prominent use of Social Media has much more negative effects in the
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students’ body perception. The overall purpose of this study is to determine how

social media impacts the students’ body image.

Theoretical Background

These study focused on the Theory of Social Comparison and Objectification that

represent a more in-depth account of the domain and contains conceptual analyses of

impact of social media on the body image of Adventist Academy Cebu students.

According to Julia Wallis (2015), that the Social comparison theory posits that

people innately compare themselves with one another by Festinger (1954); in

addition, by Wood (1999), these comparisons then become crucial to an individual’s

self-evaluations, self-improvement, and self-enhancement. Julia Wallis (2015)

reported three fundamental points by Martin as being part of social comparison

theory:

1. People have a drive to evaluate their opinions and abilities

2. In the absence of objective bases for comparison, this need can be satisfied

by social comparison with other people.

3. Such social comparisons will, when possible, be made with similar others.

People tend to focus on attributes they feel they lack when compared with a larger

group of people, and therefore become motivated to improve themselves in those

areas by Festinger (1954). Therefore, based on the premises of social comparison

theory, people who put more emphasis on certain attributes, for example weight, and

will then feel more pressure to obtain certain weight standards in order to fit in or

belong with a certain group (Julia Wallis, 2015). Additionally, people tend to compare

themselves with other people most closely related to them by Festinger (1954). This

was demonstrated in the study previously mentioned that examined older women’s
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social comparison behavior to fashion models in advertisements (Kozar & Damhorst,

2008).

According to the authors, participants were found to be less likely to compare

themselves with younger models as participants did not perceive themselves as

similar to the models in terms of age (Kozar & Damhorst, 2008). However, adolescent

and young adult females may indeed feel closely related to fashion models in the

media, since fashion models are often young (i.e., closer to the age, if not the same

age, as the adolescent and young adult females). In this way, adolescent and young

adult females may be more likely to engage in comparison behaviors that could

potentially put them at risk for consequences including eating disorders, increased

weight concern, body dissatisfaction, depression, and in some cases self-mutilation.

Among those women that use thin-ideal images in the media as a comparison tool,

most likely practice upward comparison behavior, which fuels negative feelings that

lead to the consequences previously mentioned.

Upward comparison is when an individual compares themselves with someone who

is “more than,” for example, more attractive, more intelligent, more humorous, etc.

Upward comparisons often times makes the person who is doing the comparing feel

levels of decreased confidence, self-esteem, and negative feelings, as these people

feel they do not measure up to whomever they may be comparing themselves with.

Consequently, downward comparison behavior is when an individual compares

themselves with someone who is “less than,” for example, less attractive, less

intelligent, less humorous, etc.

Downward comparison often times results in feelings of increased confidence,

self-esteem, and positive feelings. While comparisons can create negative and

positive feelings in individuals, it is determined that social comparison affects

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adolescents and young adults the most as this is an essential time for self-evaluations

(Levinson, 1978). Female adolescents and young adults with a predisposition to social

comparison behavior not only use peers and media images to evaluate themselves

against, but increase their risk of negative consequences due to this very delicate

stage in their lives. Adolescence and young 33 adulthood play important roles in the

formation of the individual self, and are critical to a person’s development.

Another theory to support this study is “The Objectification Theory,” states that

the socio-cultural factors, namely: gender roles, cultural emphasis on females’

appearance, the social and economic success that is brought with reaching and

maintaining an idealized appearance and the objectification of women in the media-

verse cause women to view themselves as objects to be looked at and evaluated by

others (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). The phenomenon is known as objective body

consciousness or OBC. It is believed that this encourage women to participate in body

surveillance to make sure that they are accepted in terms of cultural standards to

avoid being judged by society.

Fredrickson and Roberts (1997) also added that when women feel a discordance

on their body and the surrounding cultural reference, they now start to experience

body shame. It was said that body shame and body surveillance have been associated

with negative results in woman, including depressed mood, lowered body esteem, and

disordered eating behaviors.

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Conceptual Framework

The figure below illustrated the conceptual framework of the research. The

paradigm presents the independent variables which are confidence level, personal

behavior and food consumption. The dependent variable is the Student’s Body Image.

These frames the idea of what the research is all about.

Impacts of Time Spent on

Social Media in terms of:

a) Confidence Level
b) Personal Behavior, and Student’s Body
c) Food Consumption Image

Figure 1
Conceptual Framework
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Statement of the Problem

The study focused on the impacts of time spent social media towards the student’s

body image.

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:

1.1 age,

1.2 gender,

1.3 grade level,

1.4 social media applications used, and

1.5 time consumed in using social media applications?

2. What are the impacts of social media on student’s body in terms of:

2.1 confidence level,

2.2 personal behaviour, and

2.3 food consumption?

3. Is there a significant relationship between time consumed in social media to

the students’ body image?

4. Based on the findings, what body improvement action plan could be proposed?

Null Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant relationship between the Impact of time consumed in

social media to the students’ body image.

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Significance of the Study

The result of the study will be of great benefit to the following significantly:

Students. The result will provide the students’ knowledge about the impact of

social media on their body image. It will give the students a realization that using of

social media has an impact on the body image. At the end of this study, students will

know why social media, if not used properly, will be a problem to the society.

Teacher. The given data will guide the teachers on what to do with the student

who aren’t using social media responsibly. The teachers will be able to help students

create awareness on the proper use of social media.

Parents. Like the teachers, the parents too will understand the relevance of

using social media responsibly. The given data will help them to formulate preventive

measures before worst scenarios happen. The findings will also help them learn the

actions of their children through posts seen.

School Administrators. This study will help the school administrators raise

awareness of the impact social media has on the body image of students. It will also

contribute to the betterment of the social environment the students are in.

Community. This study will contribute awareness of the public about the

impact of Social Media on Students Body Image and how improper use could lead to

bad perceiving of body image.

Future Researchers. This study could be one of the basis wherein a new study

will take place and this will provide additional knowledge in the respective field for the

upcoming researcher.
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This study was conducted in order to determine the impact of social media to

students’ body image. In order to gather the needed data, the researchers utilized the

quantitative approach. Specifically, this research covers the following: the research

design and method, the research environment, the respondents, the instrument,

treatment of data, scoring procedure, and the flow of the study. These are presented

below.

Design

The research design for this study is a correlational approach and used the

quantitative method. According to McCombes (2019), a correlational research design

measures a relationship between two variables without the researcher controlling

either of them. It aimed to find out whether there is positive correlation, negative

correlation or zero correlation. In this study, the researchers identify the independent

variables is the impact of social media and the dependent variable is the student’s

body image. (The researchers presume that this research design would unveil the

answer to the hypothesis.)

Environment

This study was conducted in Adventist Academy Cebu, formerly known as

East Visayan Academy located at 6045, Bulacao, Talisay City, Cebu, Philippines since

the students were made up of young people active to social media. Having a lot of

followers and likes in social media is a culture that is widely accepted and participated

here. Serving for the past 88 years since established at 1931, the school stands
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mighty as she continues to give quality Adventist Education among Pre-Elementary,

Elementary, Junior High School, and Senior High School. In relation to this study, the

school holds students that are active in social media and are possible candidates for

the research respondents.

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Figure 2
Research Environment
Adventist Academy Cebu
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Figure 3
Location Map
City of Talisay
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Research Respondents

Since the high school students of AAC composed the highest number of prospects

that used social media, the Grade 7 to Grade 10 students were chosen as

respondents of this research. The table shows the distribution of respondents

according to their grade level and gender. There were a total of sixty (60)

respondents among them are nineteen (19) from the Grade 7, eleven (11) from the

Grade 8, nineteen (19) from the Grade 9, eleven (11) from the grade 10. The

respondents were picked randomly with voluntary participation. They were chosen

according to their availability and willingness.

Table 1
Distribution of Respondents

Grade Level Male Female Total

Grade 7 3 16 19

Grade 8 1 10 11

Grade 9 6 13 19

Grade 10 2 9 11

Total 12 48 60

Instrument

The researchers collected a quantitative data by conducting a survey and

distributed of questionnaires to the said respondents.

The first part of the questionnaire of this research was adapted from the website:

Anu Meshioye’s (2016) Influences Social Media has on body image, anxiety and self-
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esteem in young adults. The profile of the respondents as to age of the students who

has an impact of social media on their body. The personal data and respondents were

asked to add validity to this study.

The second part of the questionnaire of this research is about the student’s body

image. It was to check the changes of their social life, their limited time to others and

the society judge whether the respondents got affected by the impact of social media

on student’s body image.

The last part of the questionnaire purpose is to give awareness of the impacts of

social media on the respondent’s body image. It is to give to the students who has an

impact from social media on their body image

Data Gathering Procedures

The researchers submitted a transmittal letter to the Principal of Adventist

Academy of Cebu that will be used as an approval to conduct the research study to

the respondents. The researchers also sent a letter of consent to the parents and to

the respondents who participated in the research. After the permission was granted,

researchers distributed the questionnaires to the high school students. After gathering

the data, the researchers tallied and tabulated the data. Then they analyzed and

interpreted the result of the data.

Treatment of Data

Treatment for data responses to the questionnaire by high school students were

analyzed with the data requirements of the study. (Students were analyzed with the

data instruments of the study) Descriptive statistics such as frequency count, mean,

percent and rank were considered. To know if there was a correlation between the

independent and dependent Coefficient was utilized with 0.05 levels of significance.
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The researchers used Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for the

computation of the Pearson-r.

The following statistical tools were used in the analysis of the data:

1. Frequency and percentage distribution – This was used to tabulate and summarize

the demographical profile of the high students of Adventist Academy- Cebu.

2. Weighted Mean- Used to find the impact level of Social Media on Student’s body

image.

3. Standard Deviation- This was applied to help the researchers assess how the

impact level of social media on student’s body image will be spread out.

4. Pearson-r – This was utilized to measure the strength of the association between

the impact of social media to student’s body image.

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Scoring Procedure

To determine the result of the test in the Impact of Social Media to Student’s

Body Image, the following ranges of score with corresponding category will be used:

Table 2
Scoring Procedure

Ranges
of
Scores Range of
Description
in the mean Category
4
levels

The students at this level

Strongly STRONGLY AGREE that they are
4 3.26-4.00
agree affected with the impacts of social
media.

The students at this level AGREE

3 2.51-3.25 Agree that they are affected with the
impacts of social media.

The students at this level have

2 1.76-2.50 Disagree DISAGREE that they are affected
with the impacts of social media.

The students at this level have

Strongly STRONGLY DISAGREED that they
1 1.00-1.75
Disagree are affected with the impacts of
social media.
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Flow of the Study

The questions that was adapted from the Body Image Questionnaire by (Puglia,

2017) was relevant for the issue of this study. The study seeks to find the answer of

the specific questions that was given in the questionnaire. To get the demographic

profile of the respondents, the researchers asked for their age, gender, grade level,

social media applications used, and time consumed in using social media applications.

To find out the impact of social media to student’s body image, the following were

investigated in terms of: confidence level, personal behavior, and food consumption.

This study also seeks to know the relationship between social media and student’s

body image and what action plan could be proposed.

The common respondents of this study is the Junior High School Department of

Adventist Academy Cebu gathered through the process of descriptive method. The

statistical treatment of the data was procured by the researcher which was then

explained through the additional discussion to explain the future misunderstanding.

The proposed Action plan is then produced from the results that was gathered

through the survey that was created for the purpose of aiding the beneficiaries of this

particular study.
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THE IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO STUDENTS BODY

IMAGE

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

1. What is the profile of the
respondent in terms of:

1.1 age,

1.2 gender,

1.3 grade level,

1.4 type of social

Survey
media application
used, and
Statistical data Proposed Action
1.5 time consumed in
treatment Plan for the
using social media
application?
Students of
Presentation Adventist
2. What are the impacts of of data and Academy Cebu
Social Media on Student’s analysis
Body Image in terms of:

2.1 confidence level,

2.2 personal
behavior, and

2.3 food
consumption?

3. Is there a significant
relationship between time
consumed in social media to
student’s body image?
Figure 4

Figure 4
Flow of the Study
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DEFINITION OF TERMS

The primary objective in providing the definition of terms is to help understand the

terminologies through their own understanding after reading references.

Body dissatisfaction. negative subjective evaluation of one self’s weight and

shape of one’s own body.

Body image. perceiving one’s body either in a negative or positive outlook.

Body shame. is a practice of making critical, potentially humiliating comments

about a person’s body size or weight.

Body surveillance. a personality or behaviour that consistently monitoring

one’s body.

Discordance. a personality that is lacking of agreement or harmony with its

own self.

Downward Comparison. an individual compares themselves with someone

who is less than.

Eating disorders. it is a psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or

disturbed eating habits.

Objectification Theory. Proposed theory that girls and women, more so than

boys and men, are socialized to internalize an observer’s perspective as their primary

view of their physical selves.

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Self-esteem. confidence in one’s own worth or abilities; self-respect.

Socio-cultural factor. are customs, lifestyles and values that characterize a

society.

Theory of Social Comparison. states that individuals determine their own

social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others they perceive as

somehow fairing and better.

Upward Comparison. an individual compares themselves with someone who is

more than.