Vulnerability to appearance-based social media use and preoccupation: A model of young women’s appearance values, depression, and self-esteem via uses and gratification

Key Points

• Young women with high appearance values show increased preoccupation with social media, leading to depression.
• Findings highlight a potential negative cycle between low self-esteem and high social media usage related to appearance.
• Analysis of social media behavior shows how appearance values can impact mental well-being and self-perception.
• This model suggests future interventions should address appearance values to support mental health among young women.