The relationships between Problematic Use of Social Media, Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Eating Disorders

In recent years, the widespread influence of social media has raised important concerns regarding its impact on mental health. This thesis investigates the relationships between Problematic Use of Social Media (PUSM), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and Eating Disorders (EDs). It first examines the definition and key characteristics of PUSM, outlining the main psychological models that account for its development and maintenance, including the motivational, dispositional difference, decision-making, and learning perspectives; additionally, the detrimental effects of problematic social media use on mental health are analysed. The thesis then turns to body dysmorphic disorder, providing a definition and exploring its cognitive, psychological, and behavioural underpinnings; and special emphasis is placed on the role of social media in the onset and perpetuation of BDD - particularly through mechanisms such as social comparison, the use of image filters, and the reinforcement of perceived physical flaws and obsessive behaviours. Finally, eating disorders are addressed, with a classification of the major conditions (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder) and an exploration of the ways in which social media use may influence their development and maintenance, especially focusing on the underlying psychological mechanisms. Through the integration of theoretical models and empirical findings, this thesis aims to explore the relationships between PUSM and the body image-related psychopathologies of BDD and EDs.