Generalized problematic internet use, use of social networks, and appearance schemas in late adolescence

Introduction Research on the association between internet use and concerns about body image is still scarce. Objectives To explore associations generalized problematic use, number of social networks, appearance schemas. Methods 216 Portuguese late adolescents (89.3% females), with a mean age 18.62 years old (SD = .488, range: 18-19) filled in an patterns questionnaire, Generalized Problematic Interne Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2) The Appearance Schemas Inventory-Revised (ASI-R). Results A total 99.6% students networks. Subjects were divided into three groups (group1: 1-2 networks; group 2: 3 3: >3 networks). There was statistically difference Motivational Salience scores (ASI-R) for [F (2, 503) 6.0, p .003]. Post-hoc comparisons indicated that score (M 28.29, SD 4.95) significantly different from 1 26.69, =4.55), 2, 26.87, =4.95). subscales (Mood Regulation, Self-Deficient Negative Consequences) correlated both dimensions ASI-R: Self-Evaluation (coefficients varied r .31** to .47**) (from .14*, .31**). Conclusions networks are associated adolescent’s cognitive-behavioural investment one’s own appearance. Study carried out under strategic project Centre Philosophical Humanistic Studies (CEFH) UID/FIL/00683/2019, funded by FCT.