Research: Facebook Usage and Young Women's Body Satisfaction

This report investigates the impact of Facebook usage on young women's body satisfaction, self-esteem, and appearance comparison. Grounded in sociocultural, objectification, and social comparison theories, the research explores how exposure to social media platforms like Facebook influences young women's perception of their bodies. The study aims to determine if Facebook use correlates with body dissatisfaction, self-esteem issues, and increased appearance comparisons. The report reviews existing literature, including studies on the effects of unrealistic images and profiles on social media, and examines the role of BMI, age, and ethnicity. The research questions address the relationship between Facebook usage and young women's body satisfaction and self-esteem. The study's hypothesis suggests that higher Facebook use will negatively impact women's body satisfaction and self-esteem. The report also references key concepts such as the thin ideal, body mass index (BMI), and the role of social media in shaping perceptions of beauty. The research employs an integrative theoretical approach, drawing on sociocultural, objectification, and social comparison theories to explain the media's influence on human body satisfaction.

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“The impact of Facebook usage on
young women’s body satisfaction and
self-esteem”

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Background:
Over the past decade, researchers focused their attention on investigating the human
body image. After many years of research, according to Nuget (2018), the body image was
described as people’s self-perception and feelings about the way their body looks like
(Nuget,2018).
The present investigation work is mainly conducted by me for the purpose analysing
the study related with The impact of Facebook usage on young women’s body satisfaction
and self-esteem. This is an original research which replicating the original study, in respect to
developing my own knowledge base in the specified area of study. The mass media play an
effective role in the communication of cultural stereotypes about the aesthetics of body
image. The use of social media is pervasive and growing rapidly around the globe. Facebook
is the most popular social media platform, In this modern scenario around 1.3 billion people
are regular users of Facebook as people are spending huge amount of time on social media
platforms. Social media use is particularly popular among young women, a demographic for
which body dissatisfaction i.e., dissatisfaction with one’s current physical self is also
particularly problematic.
As per my views, Social comparison theory basically proposes that an individual have
a drive to analyse their own progress and standing on different element of their lives and, in
the absence of objective standards, people compare themselves to others to know where they
stand among the public and Facebook now a day's is the most popular source which is widely
applied by people to make connection among people at global level. According to
sociocultural models of body image and disordered eating, body dissatisfaction can enhance
when females and repeatedly compare their own appearance to the appearance of others
women. As per my personal analysis, Indeed, research shows that women regularly evaluate
their appearance by comparing themselves to others and that a greater tendency to engage in
appearance comparisons is associated with a high level of body dissatisfaction.
Nowadays, the advanced technology allows people to engage with the world around
through social media. The social media was seen by the researchers as a start point to assess
whether there is a link between social networking usage and human’s body satisfaction. To
provide an answer to this supposition, Fardouly& Vartanian (2015), conducted a research in
which highlighted that social media is strongly related with body image dissatisfaction in
young population (Fardouly&Vartanian,2015).
A previous research by Paxton, Eisenberg & Neumark-Sztainer (2006) has also
supported the idea that during the adolescent period, people but in special females are
experiencing a significant decrease in body image satisfaction, which may as well be
accompanied by eating disturbances (Paxton, Eisenberg & Neumark-Sztainer, 2006).
The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2018) reported that the social media is a
crucial factor in young people’s lives. For instance, the national reports for the beginning of
2018, showed that the total number of social media users reached over 39 million users
("Home - Office for National Statistics", 2018). This can be translated into 58% of young
adult population, from which 67% reached by Facebook. ONS (2018) reported that this is a
massive grown in social media users comparing with 2015’s reports ("Home - Office for
National Statistics", 2018).

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The social media users profile reported that the young adults have the highest rate of
penetration, this recording even visiting social networking more than ten times a day ("Home
- Office for National Statistics", 2018). Comparing the statistics reports from 2015 to 2018,
ONS (2018) emphasised that young females are more likely to engage on social networking
and to have an active Facebook account ("Home - Office for National Statistics", 2018).
Facebook is an online platform that permit to its users to customize their profiles with
pictures and information about their selves which are exposed to their choice as public or
semi-public. The users are also allowed to post edited photos and even to monitor their self-
exposure, a fact that means they can present a perfect version of them. Having said these
facts, Haferkamp & Kramer (2011) found that the exposure of unrealistic pictures and
profiles on social media platforms, women tend to be negatively influenced on their self-
evaluation and well-being, when comparing their selves with other people’s posts
(Haferkamp& Kramer,2011)
Chou & Edge (2012) reported that subjects who spent the most of their time on
Facebook are under the impression that their lives are less happy than other users who are
posting more frequently and have greater amounts of friends on Facebook (Chou & Edge,
2012). They have also concluded that there are many other elements on Facebook, i.e
comments, that may negatively influence people’s body image satisfaction (Chou & Edge,
2012).
An experimental research by Mabe, Forney & Keel (2014) explored the impact of
Facebook on women’s body image. Their research was based to analyse whether the
exposure to Facebook or to a neutral website may influence on women’s weight and shape
preoccupation. The findings showed that participants exposed to Facebook has decreased the
preoccupation of weight and shape. The subjects exposed to the controlled website had a
greater decrease among participants’ preoccupation of weight and shape. A fact that lead
authors to suggests that Facebook usage in comparison to other website, maintained
participant’s preoccupation of their own body image. However, researchers suggested that
further research should establish the influence of Facebook on people’s preoccupation of their
appearance (Mabe, Forney & Keel, 2014)
Under the same idea as Paxton, Eisenberg & Neumark-Sztainer (2006) ‘s study, the
research conducted by Jacobi et al., 2004 suggested a strong connection between social media
usage and body image disturbance in young adults. As the findings by Jacobi et al., 2004
proposed a significant link between body dissatisfaction and the usage of social media, it is
perhaps essential to identify the triggers that contributes to a decrease satisfaction in females’
body image. The recognition of these triggers may also be a key factor in the attempt to
prevent body image disturbances in young females (Jacobi et al., 2004).
Jacobi et al.,2004’s paper was supported by Thompson,Heinberg, Altabe&Tantleff-
Dunn(1999) study which also supported the fact that social media is strongly correlated with
female’s body satisfaction (Thompson,Heinberg, Altabe&Tantleff-Dunn,1999). The research
highlighted that one of the biggest effects that media endeavour on females is the
sociocultural constraint to ideal standards of beauty (Thompson,Heinberg, Altabe&Tantleff-
Dunn ,1999).
Another research by Keery, van den Berg &Thomson (2004) has also pointed out that
females are often striving to the thin ideal imposed by the social media and are resemble their

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own appearance against it (Keery, van den Berg &Thomson,2004). A fact, that scientists are
suggesting is frequently affecting female’s body satisfaction and self-esteem (Keery, van den
Berg &Thomson 2004).
The importance of the present research is to examine the effect of social media e.g.
Facebook usage on young females’ body satisfaction, self-esteem and appearance
comparison. Previous research outlined that media has a strong impact on young population
body satisfaction and related this with numerous disorders. This study will affirm whether the
Facebook usage impacts on women’s body image and self-esteem.
Theoretical framework:
The present study is based on an integrative theoretical approach which includes the
theories that attempted to explain the media influences on human’s body satisfaction. The
most common frameworks being the sociocultural and objectification theories. Another
theory which will also be used as a foundation for the present research is the social
comparison theory.
The sociocultural theory was discovered by Lev Vygotsky (1994), as a response to
behaviourism (Vygotsky,1994). The author suggested that this theory explains people’s
beliefs and mental abilities which may be influenced by the environment people are living in
but also by the way people are interacting with others (Vygotsky,1994).
Vygotsky (1994) believed that human’s though process is relying on language and
social interactions. He also suggested that the sociocultural theory is mainly based on: private
speech, the make-believe game and the proximal development (Vygotsky,1994).
More recent research highlighted that conform to the sociocultural theory, the
contemporary social media is presenting the thin beauty ideal especially to women
(Thompson et al.,1999; Tiggeman,2011). However, the reports presented that despite
numerous attempts, most of the women are aspiring to the beauty ideals presented in online
world, experienced failures which lead eventually to body dissatisfaction (Tiggeman,2002;
Thompson, 2004).
The objectification theory is another framework used in the present paper meant to
explain the connection between social media and body image satisfaction in females.
According to Frederickson& Roberts (1997), the objectification theory assumes that the
female body was socially constructed as an object to admired and examined based on its
appearance. For instance, the women body is frequently exposed in social media with sexual
presentation. Frederickson & Roberts (1997) noted that because of this reason, female tend to
adopt an acculturate attitude to their own bodies. Frederickson & Roberts (1997) supported
that frequent body examination has led to both body dissatisfaction and shame or anxiety
(Frederickson & Roberts,1997).
Festinger (1954) explained that the social comparison theory assumes that people are
often evaluating their own progress upon different aspects and in the absence of objective
ideals, they tend to compare their selves to others (Festinger,1954). In fact, previous research
demonstrated that women are more likely to compare their own appearance to other and this
fact was linked with greater body dissatisfaction (Leahey, Crowther& Mickleson,2007).
According to my own observation, Body image reduces significantly during
adolescences as per the results in wide spread body dissatisfaction and related to eating

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disturbances, specially among adult females. This is essential factor which contribute to
decrease in girls body satisfaction in order to make improvement prevention and early
interference efforts target to highly vulnerable groups. The mass media effects research has
mainly focused and it is directly impact on television and magazines influence which is less
measured. Female internalise this thin ideal and compare their own bodies against it which is
often lead towards body dissatisfaction and it drives for thinness when they meet with
unrealistic standard.
Aims and Objectives
The present paper aims to investigate whether the social networking use e.g.
Facebook (FB) may influence young female’s body satisfaction, self-esteem and appearance
comparison. The main purpose of my original research is to identify if FB use has a positive
or a negative impact on the participants’ body satisfaction. This study will also assess if age,
ethnicity or body index (BMI) may impact on FB users’ body satisfaction. Body Mass Index
(BMI) or Quetelet index is considered as a value derived through the mass and height of an
individual. The BMI is refers as the body mass which is divided throughout the square of the
body height, and is universally expressed in units of kg/m², that are resulting from mass in
kilograms and height in metres. BMI is a screening tool which can reflect an individual is
healthy weight, underweight, over weight or obesity. If in case an individual's BMI is above
from the health range, their health risk can be developed significantly and this has direct
impact on the living of people. BMI is needed to analysing the relationship between body
weight and height. It is not a direct measure of excess body fat, it majorly reflects the weight-
height relationship and provides a more accurate measure than body weight alone. Now a
day's people are facing issues related with body shape and over weight, especially woman's
are very much concern about their weight and body shape, Thus BMI is required for each
individual to know about the health condition. However BMI is needed to know about the
actual health condition of people. This is also required to control the extra body fat and extra
thinness of an individual. The hypotheses and the research questions of this study are as
follows:
Q1: Is there an impact of Facebook usage and young women’s body satisfaction and self-
esteem?
H1: Higher Facebook use for dysfunctional hours will have a positive impact on women’s
body satisfaction, self-esteem.
Ho: Higher Facebook use for dysfunctional hours will have a negative impact on
women’s body satisfaction, self-esteem.
Q2: Does Facebook usage influence young females to compare one’s own appearance to the
appearance of others?
H1: Facebook usage will have a profound influence on appearance comparison.
Ho: Facebook usage is not associated with women’s appearance comparison.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design:
The present research is based on a original research which is conducted by me to
develop my knowledge base in the area of an investigation work. My research paper is a

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quantitative research; therefore, a cross-sectional survey design will be used to examine the
Facebook’s influence on female’s body image. According to Trochim & Donelly (2008), the
cross-sectional design is the most appropriate design to use in quantitative research, as it is
less time consuming than a longitudinal design (Trochim & Donelly,2008). The independent
variables of this research are: body satisfaction, self-esteem and appearance comparison. The
dependent variables are: age, height, weight, ethnicity. Research design is the whole strategy
which are select for integrated various elements of the study in coherent and logical manner.
Thus it will ensure that it is effectively address the research problems and it is constituents
blueprint for collection, measurement and analyse data and information. A research design is
the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in proper manner which
main aim is to combine relevance to the investigation purpose with economic procedure.
There are mainly two types of research design which includes descriptive and experimental.
In descriptive research design, a researcher is solely interested in explaining the condition or
situation under specific study. This is theory based research design that is developed by
gathering, analysing and representing data collection. On the other hand, experimental
research design is used for establishing a relationship between causes and effect of particular
situation. It is causal research design that is impact caused by independent variable on
dependent variable is observed. For appropriately analysing my own study, descriptive design
is used by me for collecting and gathering accurate data and information in better manner.
Participants:
A minimum of 108 participants will be recruited to take part of this research. The
sample will only consist of young females aged between 18-30 years. The subjects will be
recruited from social media i.e. Facebook. The inclusion criteria states that all participants
recruited should have an active Facebook account accessed in the last month, females aged
between 18 to 30 years old. Participants will also be given a participant’s information form,
which will concisely provide information about the research, a consent form which will allow
participants to express their willingness to be part of the research. and a debrief form. The
researcher select participants who are between age of 18-30 and they are choose only female
members. It is required for investigator is to select such female or women who are active on
Facebook account and give specific answer of each question. This is important for me is to
select female member on the basis of age, interest, choice, height and weight. Once the
participant’s information form read and link accessed, then a consent form will follow, which
allows the participant to give permission to use their responses for the research purposes. If
the participants are signing the consent form, then the next page will ask them to complete
the demographic questionnaire followed by me in my own consideration.
Materials:
To investigate the Facebook usage impact on young female’s body satisfaction, self-
esteem and appearance comparison the following designed questionnaires will be used:
 The 5-item Sociocultural Internalization of Appearance Questionnaire (SIAQ) will be
used to examine the internalization of the thin ideal. The SIAQ will assess whether
the women are adopting the media- presented appearance ideals for themselves
(Appendix 3.3)
 The assessment of the tendency to compare one’s own personality to the appearance
of other, will be conducted using the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale (PACS)
(Appendix 3.4)

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 To examine how women are feeling about their weight, the 8-item Weight
Satisfaction subscale of Body-Esteem Scale for Adults (BES) was used
(Appendix3.5)
 Participants’ fear of being fat was examined using a 7-item Drive for Thinness
(Appendix3.8)
 Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire and Female Body Image will be used to
examine participants’ self-esteem and body satisfaction (Appendix 3.6 and 3.2)
 The social media usage i.e. Facebook will be measured using a Facebook
questionnaire (FBQ), which was created by Meir and Gray (2013) as tool of
measurement in their research (Meier& Gray,2013) (Appendix 3.7)
 To measure demographics and body index participants will be requested to provide
information on: age, height, weight and ethnicity. (Appendix 3.1)

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DATA ANALYSIS
Demographic Questionnaire Interpretations
Please state your ethnicity by choosing one of the following
While gaining knowledge about the particular topic. It has been analysed that
maximum number of the chose people belongs to White British ethnicity as research is
gathered into that particular area.
Female Body Image Interpretations
On the basis of collected information from the respondents, it has been analysed that
current body size of maximum respondents contain fat as their eating culture contains lots of
fat. Whereas while understanding perspective of individual it has identified that majority of
people wishes to get ideal figure which does not even contain fat and looks fabulous.
Furthermore, this shows positive influence of individuals towards the fat free figure which
looks good to all.
Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire- Interpretations
While collecting information related to sociocultural attitudes towards the appearance,
it has been identified that information of individuals are bifurcated on the basis of 5
dimensions such as Definitely disagree, mostly Disagree, Neither Agree Nor Disagree,
Mostly Agree and Definitely Agree. While looking at the different perspective of
respondents, it has been analysed that maximum number of respondents thinks that TV
programs are seen as the effective source through which information related to fashion is
transmitted to the individuals. Along with this, some groups have also stated that TV
programs and magazines builds pressure on individuals to reduce their weight in order to look
similar like TV personalities. Whereas, another group have agreed to the statement that they
constancy agrees their own body with the figure of TV personalities at every time they see
them. Some people have also said that they are not even bothered about their figure as they
are satisfied with their own body shape. The statements of people also believes that TV
commercials are considered as the important source of information through which people gets
knowledge about latest fashion.
The overall interpretation of this questionnaire revolves around sociocultural attitudes
of people towards their figure or physical appearance. While discussing on the music videos
on TV it has been analysed that very few people from the overall respondents thinks that they
are getting updates related to fashion from these videos. In addition to this, many of the
respondents also feels that they get motivation from TV stars in order to shape up their body
effectively. Along with this, maximum people thinks that individuals feels pressurize at the
time of taking their daily meals. Apart from this, the overall evaluation was not only
developed on the basis of actresses but it was also formulated on the basis of athletes. In this,
it has been identified that maximum number of people have denied to the thought they are
comparing their body with athletes. These respondents have also further stated that they do
not even tries to change their look like sports athletes. This is because, they clearly believes
that sports personalities owes good body appearance but still common person especially
females gives preference to TV actresses as according to them, TV personalities are more
attractive in comparison of athletes. From overall evaluation a major group of respondents
have clearly depicted that they are getting information of fashion updates fro famous

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personalities because, they believes these personalities gives more preference to their looks.
Therefore, in order to make them in lime light these famous personalities focuses on wearing
latest fashion clothing make up, accessories and other related things so that they will remain
centre of attraction among media. As a result, according to the perception of normal people, it
can be said that these individuals are directly getting information about fashion updates from
the famous personalities in effective manner.
The Physical Appearance Comparison Scale- ACS Interpretations
The questionnaire of the chosen study clearly revolves around physical appearance
comparison scale ACS. The questionnaire is consist of 5 main questions in which respondents
has been asked about different questions on which they have to give rating according to their
thoughts. From the overall information received from respondents, it has been analysed that
the chosen people have given different set of answers according to their own belief and
vision. The overall analysis states that maximum number of people are comparing their
physical appearance with others at the time of attending social events. In this, maximum
number of respondents have given rating 3 to the given scale. On the other hand, it has been
analysed that almost overall number of respondents have declared that they believes that best
way of understanding that whether they are overweight or not is to compare their own figures
with others. These respondent mostly compare themselves at social event to the figure of
others and further take initiative to tone up their body accordingly. Whereas, maximum
number of people has also stated that whenever they attend any social part or event they often
compare their dresses with others in order to identify that whether they are looking good or
others looks more prettier to them comparatively. For this, maximum individuals have given
rating 4 to the specialise scale. In addition to this, approximately whole population also
believes that comparing looks with one another is considered as the wrong way which shows
that whether individual is attractive or not. It simply creates feeling of jealousy among
individuals. When the last question of this questionnaire has been asked to respondents, the
maximum number of respondents among all have clarified that in maximum number of social
situations these individuals compare themselves with others. This is because, social events
are consist of numerous of people so directly or indirectly these individuals looks meet with
huge population which ultimately develops feeling of comparison with one another in
effective manner. As a result, from overall analysis it has been analysed that maximum
number of respondents compare their body structure with others in order to find out that
whether they looks good or not in comparison of others.
Body Esteem Scale for Adults Interpretations
This type of questionnaire is consist of numerous of questions that is approximately
20 in numbers. These questions completely revolves around different body esteem scale of
adults. In this, the analysis was done on the basis of rating given by the respondents. Here,
individuals has been asked about different look related questions which have been answered
by each and every respondents according to their requirements. On the basis of observation, it
has been analysed that maximum number of people thinks that they looks good in pictures.
Whereas, remaining of them believes they do not look good in pictures. Average number of
people are satisfied with their body shape. In addition to this, it has been analysed that
maximum number of people thinks that they wishes to look better as they compare
themselves with others. On the other hand, while discussing about others questions that
whether looks helps an individual in getting dates, a large proportion among them have stated
that look is the main factor which helps as well as resists them in getting dates or not.

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Body Satisfaction Among Adults Interpretations
It is the second part of the questionnaire in which questions has been asked about
different level of body satisfaction of individuals. While evaluating information collected
from the respondents, it has been analysed that maximum number of people are shown in
their information that there body contains fat. This is because, the lifestyle of modern day
people are not effective which directly on indirectly influences individuals to eat junk food
which increases their body weight in quick manner. When these respondents has been asked
about their expected look around whole population have shown their positive response to
toned body which does not contain body fat. At the same time, very few number of
respondent have declared that they want completely slim body as they thinks that with this
kind figure they can wear any cloth and will always look good in every cloth. While on the
other hand, it has been further analysed that when these respondents are asked about the
looks of their parents. Maximum of these respondents have stated that looks of their parents
belong to the last image from the provided sheet. This is because, according to the age of
parents their body shape is consist of fat. At the same time some group of respondents have
also stated that looks of their parents is very attractive because they believes in continuous
basis of exercise which makes their body fat free. As a result, they looks good and attractive
in the elders age too. Apart from this, it can be further said that the overall discussion does
not relies on individuals own performance but at the same time, it includes discussion on the
perception of peer mates that how they wants others to look like. While asking the similar
question to individuals, it has been identified that the maximum number of peer mates wants
their colleague or batch mate to look perfect. Therefore, maximum of them have said that
their peer mates want to have ideal figure which does not even has fat. At the same time, peer
mates of many respondents have stated that they are required to gain little bit fat because for
attaining ideal figure they requires some fat in order to improve their looks.
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale Interpretations
The next questionnaire is about self esteem of respondents in which individuals are
asked to rate the questions to options stated on overall scale. This questionnaire consist of
different but 10 umber of questions. In this analysis, it has been analysed that almost half of
the total respondents have said that they are satisfied with their own. But, the remaining
thinks that they always feels some lack areas which stops them in reaching satisfaction level.
When these respondents has been asked that whether thy are not at all satisfied with
themselves then big proportion of them have them denied at highest level. This is because, no
matter what is actual situation but every person somewhat like themselves at highest level. In
addition to this, it has also been seen that respondents have also reflected their positive
influence towards the good quality of themselves. This is because, they believes that these
respondents have said that they are strongly agree to the statement that they have huge
number of good qualities. Furthermore, it can be said that there high proportion of
respondents have shown strongly agree mark of scale when it was asked to them about they
could have more self respect for themselves. The main thought given by these respondents
towards the questions is that they believe that in many situations most of us do not even give
self respect to ourselves. Therefore, in order to overcome this guilt, these respondents have
stated that if they get similar opportunity in future then they will definitely improve self
respect for themselves in effective manner.
From the analysis of this questionnaire it has also been identified that maximum
number of respondents have said that they think they owe positive attitude towards them.

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These respondent have stated strongly agree statement for the same question. While, at the
same time, it has been later identified that this positive attitude of respondents also helps
them in winning negative situations of life in effective manner. While discussing about
another question, it has been seen that at many stages individuals feels that they are useless
for themselves and others. At this, situation maximum number of respondents have said that
they strongly disagree to the statement but at the same time leftover among them have clearly
said that they in some situation they believes that it is true that are not good for any one
because they do not works in effective manner.
Facebook Questionnaire- Interpretations
This questionnaire is consist of around 30 questions which are directly related to
Facebook and its habits of individual while using it. From the overall collected information, it
has identified almost every respondent is using Facebook at least once in a day as they having
internet connection everywhere. While investigation further it has been identified that these
respondents are active on Facebook since they were around 12 years old. Even though people
are using Facebook at regular basis but still they are not aware about their privacy settings
and on an average friend list of respondents includes approximate 500 – 700 friends at
minimal. Maximum number of respondent have also stated that they only upload those pics in
which they looks better and their face is clear to all. Furthermore, it has been analysed that
even though these respondents are active on Facebook but still maximum of them do not uses
its various features such as Create a group, Write a Facebook Note, Create/share a Facebook
Quiz, Join ‘‘groups’’ Create a photo album featuring artwork/photography, Update your
profile interests (books, movies, TV, activities) whereas the few services used by them are
Create a photo album with photos of yourself and friends/family and Update your profile
photo. Moreover, it has also been seen that there are still some common options which are
being used by maximum respondents are Use Facebook Chat, Play games, Post a photo, Post
a status, update Post, a link to a news story, video, Web site, etc., View friends’ photos that
they’ve added of you, View friends’ photos of themselves View friends’ status updates, View
friends’ links to news stories, videos, Web sites, etc., Comment on friends’ status updates,
Comment on friends’ links to news stories, videos, Web sites, etc. and Tag yourself in
friends’ photos. This shows that users are using Facebook at regular basis in order to remain
touch with another at regular basis.
7-item Drive for thinness Questionnaire Interpretations
This questionnaire includes in total of 7 questions which are effectively interpreted for
having their better knowledge on the same topic in effective manner. In this, rating has been
given by to the questions on the basis of perception of individuals. The rating scale is positive
towards right side which is rated to 7 numbers whereas level of dislike can be seen with the
lowest number of 1. It has been identified that maximum number of respondents have said
that they like their body. Whereas, moderate proportion of people have shown that they are
not even satisfied not dissatisfied with their body weight. When, it has been asked to
respondents that whether they wants to trade their body for anyone else then maximum of
them have denied to the question because, they thinks that body of individual can not be used
for trading purpose. For changing the body shape approximately half of respondents have
said that its should be changed whereas, leftover among them have denied to the same
because they are satisfied with their own shape. Along with this, these respondents also
believes that it is easier for them to change their body shape with effective exercise. At last,

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it has been analysed that almost every care about their body shape no matters whether they
shows it on others face but in their deep heart they do care about their body shape.
Procedure:
Under the study, all participants will be approached through Facebook. All women
approached will be provided with the participant’s information form which consist of
essential information about the research and how to take part of it. Participants will be
explained that to take part of the study, they will need to access the link provided in the
participant’s information form, which will then direct them to the research homepage.The
survey will end with a debriefing form, which will provide the participants a depth
explanation of the research as well as the author’s and supervisor’s contact details, should
they require more information. To complete the survey, it should not take longer than 10
minutes. When all data will be collected, the link for the survey will not be longer accessible
to new participants. However, for the participants, the web link will be still available, should
they wish to withdraw.
Ethical consideration:
When conducting this research, the BPS guideline will be followed. To make sure the
sensitivity of the topic is well managed, the confidentiality will be maintained through the
study and all data collected will be used for this research purpose only. To ensure participants
on confidentiality, no name or personal data will be collected. For identification purpose, all
participants will be given a reference number, should they feel the need to withdraw from the
study. All the data collected, including the consents form will be kept on password protected
computer in researcher’s possession.
Conform to Creswell (2009) whoever is qualified as a study participant, has the right
to be respected, unrelatedly of the level of comfort both physical or psychological
(Creswell,2009). For this reason, all participants’ rights will be protected by briefing them on
the research before signing any consents to be part of the study. The consents forms will only
be signed once the participant fully understood the purpose of the research.
According to BPS guidelines, the researcher should make sure that confidentially is
well maintained throughout the study, hence for this research only demographic data such as
age, weight, height and ethnicity will be requested. None of the subjects will be asked to
provide identifying data such as date of birth or name.
I have conducted the study for the purpose of reaching at the actual outcome by
analysing real data and information.
my major consideration regarding ethical issue is, safety and security of people photos
and images which are uploaded on Facebook's account. This is the major problem which is
faced by me while doing investigation and these are also effective for me in analysing; how
girls or females are conscious about their body satisfaction. For this, Facebook develop
various settings through which women's are secure and safe their uploaded photos in better
manner.
Proposal analysis:
Data analysis plan: