The endless scroll of perfection: how digital platforms shape student's body image and noveltyseeking behavior

In their quest to better understand the world, students look for something " new and different" in everyday life. Studies have shown that students look for new ways to conform to social norms, engage in recent trends in fashion and body modification, and new ways to obtain approval and validation from others. However, single integrative studies examining these dynamics are insufficient. Therefore, the current correlational study examined the mediating role of social media use in the relationship between body image and the need for novelty among university students. A sample of 331 participants between ages 19 and 39 (51.1% Male; Mage=23.24; SDage=3.18) completed self-report measures of body image, social media use, and need for novelty. Structural equation modeling using Smart PLS version 3 was used for data analysis. The results of the study reveal that body image does not directly predict the need for novelty. However, indirect effects were found between body image and the need for novelty through social media use. No significant differences were found in the need for the novelty of students based on gender. The findings suggest that the self-determination theory is useful for conceptualizing relationships between body image and the need for novelty through social media use among emerging adults.

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