The aim of this study is to examine the role of social media in the development of body image dissatisfaction among male adolescents. This requires a reorientation in the focus of research looking at the relationship between media and body image dissatisfaction (Lesutan, 2016).
The Statement of the Problem
As a result, there has been a steady stream of research linking media exposure to body image dissatisfaction (Kim and Chok, 2015). The growing influence of social media thus adds another dimension to the body image problem.
Objective of the Study
This is also true when it comes to looking at body image dissatisfaction among Malaysian men. This study aims to assess the role of social media in influencing body image dissatisfaction among urban male undergraduates in Malaysia.
Gender differences and body image dissatisfaction
The body of research surrounding body image dissatisfaction among men has grown over the years and established it as a pervasive problem for men (Galioto and Crowther, 2013). In Whitaker et al., (2019) there is a suggestion that the issue of body image has been feminised, thereby hindering insight into the experience of men and boys.
Body Image Dissatisfaction and Societal Expectations
This suggests that it is not yet recognized as a problem for men, although research shows that the prevalence has reached a level that is considered to be normative (Jankoswski et al., 2018). For university students, body image becomes important as physical appearance is seen as a determinant of popularity (Kamaria et al., 2016).
Theoretical Perspectives
The sociocultural perspective has emerged as one of the key frameworks from which to study body image. According to the sociocultural argument, body image dissatisfaction is most likely to develop if there is a constant.
Social Comparison Theory
In addition, "attractiveness" is a trait that is often paired with other desirable traits, resulting in attractive individuals. The study found that men had a greater tendency to compare themselves to celebrities in terms of appearance and appearance.
Uses and Gratifications Theory
When it comes to social media, the uses and gratifications theory is particularly relevant because it considers the user and how he/she uses social media and for what purpose. It therefore looks at an individual's characteristics such as body image, self-esteem, the need to belong as well as media literacy and how this combines with the social aspects and content available on social media. It is this premise that makes uses and satisfaction relevant for studying the influence of social media (Whiting and Williams, 2013), especially since satisfaction is considered a good predictor of.
For example, young people often use social media to search for information about achieving the perfect body (Borzekowski et al., 2010), while young women actively search for information about weight loss (Perloff, 2014).
The media’s role in the development of body image dissatisfaction dissatisfaction
The category 'information' makes uses and gratifications theory relevant in the context of this study as media is a source from which users obtain information about body image. Experimental studies have shown that even minor exposure to images of thin models in fashion magazines can have negative effects, creating concerns about weight and encouraging the development of body image dissatisfaction. Previous research has shown that there is a significant difference between men and women in the way they cope with body image dissatisfaction.
But as social media use becomes more popular among young adults, it is also becoming increasingly important to study the links between social media use and body image (Duggan & Smith, 2013).
The Impact of Social Media
Image-centric social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tumblr are growing in influence, both in terms of users and importance (Tiidenberg & Cruz, 2015). Images posted on social media are said to be as influential as those found in traditional media (Boute et al., 2011). There is a difference between how social media is consumed compared to traditional formats.
Social media thus enable young people to establish social ties and also seek information about others (Tufekci, 2008).
How appearance concerns affect youth
While Perloff's (2014) article focused on how social media has affected young women, the impact on young men should also be considered, given the growing popularity of social media platforms and the growing concern about body image among men. And because peer acceptance is especially important in adolescence, there is a perceived social benefit that comes from conforming to these appearance ideals (Oliver & Thelan, 1996). At the same time, nonconformity often results in criticism from peers and teasing about appearance. and physical characteristics.
It is within these frameworks that this study seeks to explore body image dissatisfaction among university males.
Rationale for Qualitative Research
Thus, studies using this tradition adopt the use of qualitative research methodologies that allow participants to respond using their own language and terms. As the aim is to understand the thought process and perceptions of the participants, this study will employ the use of qualitative methods, focusing on the use of non-numerical data. The use of qualitative methodology will also enable an insight into the subjective experiences of research participants.
Using a phenomenological approach, this study aims to focus on participants' responses by focusing on their own words, which will allow for a better understanding of the impact of social media on body image.
Conceptual Framework
Qualitative research is often used to study issues among young people, especially in the field of gender and sexuality.
Methodology
Are you generally satisfied with the way you look or . think you could look better? . iv). What is your perception of the ideal male body? .. vii) Why do you think this is the ideal? . viii). Do you think boys often compare their looks to celebrities/celebrities who often appear in the media? . ix).
What are the strategies to increase your social media following - do you think that people who are better looking have more presence on social media?
Research setting and data collection
Convenience sampling refers to one of the most important types of non-probability sampling, as it consists of people who are easily contactable (Wienclaw, 2015) and whose participation in the study is simply based on their willingness to participate. The Chinese students made up the largest number in the study, perhaps reflecting the private university demographic. In addition to the interviews, a focus group was also conducted, each consisting of three groups of five from three different higher education institutions in the Klang Valley.
These patterns are then given a 'theme'. These themes are derived based on the responses of the respondents.
Research questions
Data Findings
They also said that they were not appearance-driven and were not influenced by what people said about them. An interesting aspect of the focus groups was that participants were not uncomfortable talking about appearance issues, which contradicted the stereotype that guys view appearance as one.
Participant five attributed this to the fact that they were part of the "millennium era", where "they are very aware of themselves," "to choose things that are little, but for them it is a big problem." For me, looks are more physical, but for him (pointing to another contestant), it's more about looks." - (participant one; . focus group one). If this is the body I am aesthetically driven to, I believe I can, regardless of genetic type.”.
The "ideal" came in the form of "actors, musicians, and sports personalities" because "boys follow these things." When it comes to fashion, there is a "weird mentality that it's a woman's thing".
Research Question 2: The role of social media in the development of body image dissatisfaction among urban
Part-time modelling, Participant Six says he uses social media as a "platform" to gather information, to see "how celebrities dress". Especially girls, they start posting pictures of these guys and they're like 'hashtag relationship goals' and that's exactly how media portrays them, especially social media,” says participant five. Both participant five and 12 described at the beginning that they did not conform to the ideal image perpetuated by social media.
Participant one from focus group two described Instagram as a “portfolio” to market themselves. Adding a strong social media presence gives you “the flexibility,” slang for showing that people care.
The participants also admitted that they were more attracted to forms of social media that were more visual in nature. All who participated in the semi-structured interviews admitted to spending a significant amount of time on social media. However, in focus group one, there were two participants who said they had social media accounts but did not spend a lot of time on them.
In focus group two, there was one participant who said he didn't bother with social media.
Research Question 4: How does body image dissatisfaction affect urban Malaysian male undergraduates?
Because there is this constant feeling of I want to be like that but I don't know how to be like that. Generally, people just think that girls are expected to be a certain way and people just focus on that, but at the same time guys are also expected to be like Liam Hemsworth or Captain America. You put effort into trying to look good, put yourself out there and when people don't care, it's a bit of a downer,” participant five said.
One participant said the ideal male body should be “lean and fit so you can wear anything and still look good.”
Discussion
The study showed that subjects used social media as a tool through which they gained information about what it means to be a man in today's world. The second is to use social media to seek information or self-educate (Papacharissi and Rubin, 2000). They explained that they follow the social media accounts as a means of learning about the industry.
The study also found that social media plays a role in the emergence of body image dissatisfaction.
Limitations
This should result in different intervention strategies in addressing the issue of body image dissatisfaction among men, which is one of the implications of the study. There appears to be little in terms of intervention strategies (Whittaker et al, 2019), leading to very little progress being made in addressing body image dissatisfaction among men. However, the research could serve as a starting point for debate on numerous topics related to male behavior: masculinity, social media influence and body image.
As the study found, the relationship between social media and body image is a complex one.
Future Possibilities
I don't need people to tell me I'm beautiful on social media:” A qualitative study of social media and body image in early adolescent girls. The Relationship Between Facebook and Instagram Appearance-Focused Activities and Body Image Concerns in Young Women 23. Social Comparisons in Social Media: The Impact of Facebook on Young Women's Body Image Concern and Mood.
Effects of social media on young women's body image concerns: Theoretical perspectives and an agenda for research.
