Social Media Consumption Effect on Partner Objectification and Self Objectification in University Students

Abstract

The pervasive use of social media has significantly influenced how individuals perceive themselves and others, often promoting physical appearance over other attributes. The social media consumption, especially exposure to content that idealizes physical appearance and romantic partner expectations, is highly attractive and prevalent among young adults. This constant exposure leads them to increasingly engage with such content and shapes their beliefs, making them internalize and project these unrealistic standards onto themselves and their relationships This study investigates the relationships between social media consumption, selfobjectification, and partner objectification among university students, with a particular emphasis on gender differences. A quantitative approach using a correlational research design was employed, involving 252 undergraduate students from both private and government universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, equally divided by gender and aged between 18-25 years. Participants, selected through convenient sampling, completed validated questionnaires measuring social media usage, self-objectification, and partner objectification. Statistical analyses revealed significant relationships between social media consumption, selfobjectification, and partner objectification through the scale Social Media Addiction Scale( Cengiz Sahin,2018), Partner Objectification Scale (Paul Curran, 2004 ), along with Self Objectification Scale (Sarah Dhal,2014). Higher social media usage was associated with increased levels of both self-objectification and partner objectification. Additionally, social media consumption significantly predicted self-objectification and partner objectification. Gender differences were observed, with variations in the levels of self-objectification and partner objectification between male and female students. These findings highlight the substantial impact of social media on self-objectification and partner objectification among undergraduate university students. The study underscores the importance of further research and potential interventions to mitigate the negative effects of social media on young adults' perceptions of themselves and others.