Comparison of Loneliness, Emotion Regulation and Body Image Satisfaction in Virtual Social Network Users Based on Gender

The use of virtual social networks has increased among Iranians in the recent years. The aim of this study was to compare some of the reasons of tendency to use these social networking sites (body image satisfaction, emotion regulation and loneliness) among male and female students. Research method of the current study was a causal-comparative one. The study population included all male and female students of Kharazmi University living in its dormitory (Karaj unit) in the academic year 2014-2015; of this population 97 students (48 boys and 49 girls) were selected through convenience sampling method. In order to collect data, the short form of social and emotional loneliness scale for adults, body image rating scale and emotion regulation subscale of emotional intelligence questionnaire were used. The results of the current study showed that the two groups had no significant difference in body image satisfaction; however, average of emotion regulation, general loneliness, social loneliness and emotional loneliness was significantly higher in the female group. So it seems that the emotion regulation and loneliness have a role in the more use of social networks among girls.