Associations with Mood Disturbance and Body Image among Young Adult Women
A study of 151 college-aged women found that consuming mental health-related content on TikTok is linked to increased anxiety and depressive moods. While total time spent on the app did not correlate with psychological distress, the specific nature of the content consumed appears to significantly impact emotional well-being.
Why it matters
It highlights the potential psychological risks of algorithm-driven social media consumption, suggesting that content type is a more critical factor than screen time for mental health.
Backgr ound: TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms, with more than 1.8 billion users worldwide. Because many users are adolescents and young adults, increasing concern has emerged regarding the platform’s potential psychological effects. College-aged women may be particularly vulnerable because this developmental period is characterized by identity formation, social comparison, and heightened emotional sensitivity. Aim: The present study examined whether TikTok use and exposure to mental health-related content were associated with self-esteem, mood disturbance, and body image dissatisfaction among college-aged women. Materials and Methods: Participants were 151 women between the ages of 18 and 27 years. Participants completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Profile of Mood States-Short Form, and the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale, along with measures assessing TikTok usage patterns and exposure to mental health-related content. Results: Greater self-reported time spent on mental health-related TikTok content was significantly associated with increased tension and depressive mood.
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