The relationship between using social networks with body image fear and precived social support

Social networks are tools by the use of which people virtually communicate with each other. Perceived social support and the fear of body image variables that are in relation to individuals' communications and impressionability are rooted in the extent to which people use social networks. The purpose of the present study was to compare the relationship between using social networks with body image fear and perceived social support. The present research was a descriptive correlational study. The statistical universe consisted of people living in the south of Ghiamdasht city, 89 of whom (33women and 56 men) were selected by convenient sampling method in 2019 and They responded to the Littleton (2005) body image fear questionnaire, Zimet et al. (1988) Perceived Social Support Questionnaire, and Rasool Abadi (2016) social media use questionnaire. The results were analyzed by Pearson correlation. The result of this study indicated a significant and positive relationship between using social networks and body image fear (r=0.43, p<0.01) which is more significant in women than men. Also, the perceived social support variable was significantly and negatively correlated with using social networks (r=-0.35, p<0.01) which was higher in men than in women. Therefore, it can be concluded that with an increase in using social networks, perceived social support decreases, and fear of body image increases.