A quantitative analysis of adolescent appearance anxiety in the pseudo-environment of online media based on uses and gratification theory

Abstract

With the advancement of economic level and science and technology, electronic products are flooding the lives of teenagers. While many people are willing to show themselves on social media, they can freely experiment with different ways to present themselves on the Internet, which could be thought of as a kind of social laboratory. The objective of this article is to analyze whether self-expression will bring satisfaction or anxiety to people’s lives. This article uses self-presentation(Ideal self, Multiple selves, Consistent self, Online presentation preference) as an independent variable, life satisfaction and appearance anxiety as dependent variables. This paper is based on use and satisfaction theory and investigates self-presentation based on prior beliefs utilizing the method of a questionnaire survey which includes a primary focus on people’s degree of satisfaction or anxiety. The final sample included 419 individuals in Weibo, the percentage of female participants is 70.74%, while the proportion of the male participants is 29.26%. According to the findings, appearance anxiety may be more severe when a person is more willing to exhibit themselves on online social media. Additionally, the teens' life satisfaction increased with their willingness to present themselves on online social media.