ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE AND PEER PRESSURE TO

BODY IMAGE SATISFACTION AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

A Research Paper Presented to the Faculty of the

Senior High School Department of
Tagum National Trade School
Apokon, Tagum, Davao Del Norte

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

Practical Research 2
Quantitative Research

Lara Flose S. Alisaca

Jaymar O. Bongcales
Kim Cattral G. Palmeda
Jemmalyn R. Quisio
Kwenxy Kline C. Tabanao
Shalmar Q. Tacot

June 2023

INTRODUCTION
 In today's evolving digital landscape, characterized by the presence of social

media, high school students find themselves immersed in platforms such as Instagram,

Facebook, and TikTok, showing a growing concern about potential impact of social

media usage on body image perceptions among adolescents. Moreover, peer pressure,

which is already prevalent during teenage years, may further exacerbate this issue. This

study examines the deep connections between the digital domain and peer pressure on

the development of body image among high school students.

The effects of social media and peer pressure on body image satisfaction are

evident in different studies. Globally, specifically in Southeast Asia, several studies have

been conducted to measure and evaluate the effects of the following factors among

young adults or teens. In Indonesia, several negative behaviors related to body

dissatisfaction, such as eating problems, low body esteem, and engagement in

excessive exercise, were observed among Indonesian youth, especially among girls.

According to Garbett et al. (2023), Indonesian girls and young women feel pressured to

meet the standards of media in terms of weight expectations that it results in negative

body image concerns. As people practice pressurizing themselves to reach the

unattainable standards of beauty, photo browsing, and editing behaviors continue to

increase as well as peer comparisons. Creating unrealistic results leading to body

dissatisfaction and low self-esteem in young adolescents. In Singapore, teenage girls'

views and presentations of unattainable beauty standards were shaped by their peers,

who acted as fake audiences, judges, learning sources, and comparison points. In the

hopes of getting feedback in the form of likes, follows, and comments based on how
they show themselves compared to their peers (Chua & Chang, 2016). Furthermore, a

study conducted in Malaysia indicated that media has an effect on young adults' body

image. Social media has already put pressure on many adults and even teenagers to

meet "ideal" standards, making them feel unattainable and thinking negatively

(Khodabakhsh & Chan, 2020). The results of this study are supported by Vartanian et

al. (2001), who stated that social media is one of the most influential factors highly

related to a person's view towards body image. High exposure to social media has

demonstrated that the ideal body shape has been defined with thinness in women and

muscularity in men. Apart from this, In the study from Australia, when individuals use

social media websites that place a high emphasis on looks, it can make them feel bad

about their bodies and general well-being. It makes no difference whether you're a male

or a girl; the results are the same for both. (Jarman et al., 2021) In addition to this with

mass media playing a big role in propagating the ultra-thin body ideal in Western

countries. Exposure to thinness-focused media has been associated with women's

unhappiness with their bodies, greater attention on their looks, and higher endorsement

of unhealthy eating patterns in both correlational and experimental research. These

studies also found a link between such media exposure and signs of disordered eating,

a strong desire to be skinny, and general body dissatisfaction (Puglia, 2017).

As a result of a significant number of users in social media in the Philippines, it

has become a typical participatory practice among Filipino peers. In a study from

Manila, young female peers exhibit higher participation than male peers in social media,

they emerge as the primary users and consumers of social media for their personal and

social purposes. Despite sharing content on platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and
Facebook, young peers are vulnerable to online influences that shape how they view

their bodies and compare themselves to others, resulting in both positive and negative

perceptions (Juangco, 2023).

Social media affects adolescence, which is crucial for identity and self-esteem.

According to studies done in Davao City, adolescents are in a stage where they are

forming their identities and sense of self. We can learn from their experiences and

lessons about potential social and cultural standards relating to beauty and body size,

as well as about media depictions that encourage body shame and negative body views

(Escoton et al., 2023).

Urgency of the Study

Now that technology is used more than ever and the generation where youth

tend to rely more on their peers and in the times where young people experience

adolescents in the face of bodily changes that goes with their puberty, it is important to

take note that body image satisfaction with the influence of peers and of the rising fame

of different social media platforms can be a risk factor in terms of physical and mental

condition for the youth. According to Devi and Jyotsana (2018), these adolescents who

face this stage in life can develop negative perceptions while comparing themselves

with their peers and their “ideals”. This study needs to be conducted in order to show

whether peer pressure and social media usage plays a significant role in the views and

perception of body image satisfaction among students. This study is of great help and

an evidence onto addressing future problems or researches that can occur related to

the problem and factors.

Research Gap

Studies regarding social media platforms' effects on body image satisfaction

have been the focus of most research. These efforts have shown how much internet

platforms shape physical appearance perceptions. However, the complex relationship

between social media involvement and peer pressure and students' body image

satisfaction is still unclear. The lack of research on the relationship between these three

variables is a major gap in understanding.

Social Relevance

For parents, this will help find a way to properly evaluate and to address the

possible issue at hand and guide the children or the youth of the causes of negative

body perception. This study will share insights that can be used as a reason to promote

positive experiences regarding youth adolescents in terms of their bodily changes

because of puberty. This will help create a support system for students that can possibly

understand the causes of their negative body image perception.

For future researchers, this will help offer data and findings as an existing

related literature. With the intention of being a possible source of data for future

researchers, this study will help to test future occuring problems or causes of body

dissatisfaction among youth or the society itself along with the information regarding the

possible factors like peer pressure and social media usage.

For educators, it stands to benefit significantly as it offers valuable insights into

complex interplay between social media use, peer pressure, and body image
satisfaction among high school students. The study's findings can guide the

development of targeted educational programs aimed to promote digital literacy,

resilience, and positive self-image among students, ultimately contributing to a healthier

and more conductive learning atmosphere.

For school administrators, the insights garnered from the study can inform the

development of school policies and support systems that address these specific

challenges. Moreover, findings can contribute to the creation of a school culture that

prioritizes holistic student development, fostering an environment where students feel

understood, supported and equipped with the tools to navigate the society in a healthy

manner.

Dissemination

This study aims to disseminate data regarding the possible causes or factors,

between the variables - social media usage, peer pressure and body image satisfaction

among high school students. This study will also aim to identify any patterns or trends in

the data which could provide insights into how these factors influence each other.