THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE RISK OF DEVELOPING EATING DISORDER AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN UNIVERSITY
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UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
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This study investigates the relationship between social media usage and the risk of developing eating disorders among young adults in university. Conducted at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), this quantitative research employs a cross-sectional design with convenience sampling. A total of 143 participants, aged 18 to 25, completed the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) to measure symptoms of eating disorders. Data analysis revealed a positive correlation between social media usage and eating disorder symptoms, indicating that increased exposure to social media content is associated with a higher risk of developing eating disorders. Despite the significant findings, the limited sample size constrains the generalizability of the results. Future research should consider employing a longitudinal design and incorporating qualitative methods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this relationship. These insights could contribute to developing targeted interventions to mitigate the negative impact of social media on young adults' mental health.