Examining the social media usage, body esteem, eating attitudes and life satisfaction among gym users
Authors
Gartland, Abigale
Issue Date
2024-04
Degree
BA Hons Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
Abstract
This study aimed to examine relationships among disordered eating attitudes, life satisfaction, body esteem (weight, appearance, attribution), social media usage for fitness-related content, and gym usage in male and female gym users. A cross-sectional, correlational design used an online survey completed by 98 gym users, incorporating demographic questions, The Disordered Eating Attitude Scale, The Body Esteem Scale, and The Life Satisfaction Scale. Findings showed no significant difference in disordered eating attitudes between genders, but a significant relationship between body esteem (weight, appearance, attribution) and life satisfaction. No significant relationship was found between social media usage for fitness content and body esteem, or between social media usage, exercise frequency, and disordered eating attitudes. Results revealed the requirement for further research with larger, gender-balanced samples, particularly exploring the positive impacts of gym usage and the variables mentioned in the current study.