Relationships Between Social Media Addiction, Fear of Missing Out Developments and Body Image

Abstract

Aim The research aimed to reveal the existence of relationships between social media addiction, fear of missing out developments, and body image in student athletes. Method A total of 313 student athletes, 133 females and 180 males, enrolled in the sports sciences faculties undergraduate programs of three different state universities, participated in the research in which the relational screening model was adopted. The data was obtained by using the "Personal Information Form", "Social Media Addiction Scale", "Fear of Missing Out in Social Environments Scale" and "Body Appreciation Scale". Data were analyzed by using Pearson correlation and Regression analyses. Findings: The results obtained in the study showed a negative relationship between social media addiction and body image (p < .05); There is a positive relationship between social media addiction and fear of missing out (p < .05); It was determined that there were negative (p < .05) significant relationships between fear of missing out and body image perception. Moreover, it has been revealed that social media addiction negatively predicted body image (p < .05); fear of missing out positively predicted social media addiction (p < .05); the fear of missing out predicted body image negatively (p < .05). Conclusion As a result, it may be possible to state that addiction to social media in student athletes negatively affects their body image, and having the fear of missing out leads to social media addiction and lowers their body image.