From Family Patterns to Eating Disorder Risk: The Role of Social Media, Appearance Ideals, and Body Image Among Emerging and Young Adults

Background: Eating disorders are on the rise among emerging and young adults, driven by familial dynamics, social media, psychological traits, and cultural, genetic, and peer factors. Yet not all underlying variables are fully understood. This study explores relationships between the differentiation of self (a crucial family pattern), problematic social media use, internalization of appearance ideals, negative body image, and the risk of eating disorders, aiming also to identify risk profiles. An additional objective was to examine differences between emerging adults and young adults, two age groups that have recently experienced increased prevalence of eating disorders. Methods: Participants included 333 emerging (n = 114, 34.2%) and young (n = 219, 65.8%) adults aged 18–40 (mean age 29.53; 207 females, 126 males) who completed questionnaires assessing the study variables. Results: The results revealed a sequential mediation effect: differentiation of self contributed to risk of eating disorders via problematic social media use, internalization of appearance ideals, and negative body image. Emerging adults (18–25) reported a higher risk of eating disorders, problematic social media use, internalization of appearance ideals, and emotional reactivity/fusion with others than young adults (26–40). A risk profile emerged: young, single, child-free women with a lower education and socioeconomic status, lower differentiation of self, and higher internalization of appearance ideals and problematic social media use. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of addressing both familial and societal factors—particularly differentiation of self, problematic social media use, and internalization of appearance ideals—in prevention and intervention programs for eating disorders. Developing tailored strategies for high-risk groups, such as young, single women with lower education and socioeconomic status, may enhance program effectiveness.