Linking appearance in social networks and acts to improve it with depression in adolescents: a descriptive analysis of their relationship based on gender

The use of social networks to showcase one's image is widespread among adolescents, yet their misuse can pose risks to mental and physical health. This study explores the direct relationship between concern about appearance on social media and depressive symptoms, and the potential indirect effect through appearance-enhancing behaviours. A total of 1209 students aged 12 to 17 participated. Descriptive analyses and a multi-group structural equation model were conducted by gender and age. Results show that concern about appearance is positively associated with depression across all groups. However, an indirect association through appearance-enhancing behaviours emerged only among boys and older adolescents (15–17 years), but not among girls or younger adolescents (12–14 years). These findings suggest differentiated pathways of vulnerability. The study contributes to current literature by revealing how appearance-related pressures on social media link to depressive symptoms in distinct ways, underlining the need for disaggregated approaches to adolescent digital wellbeing.