Assessing the relationship between social media addiction and eating disorders in a sample of Peruvian university students: a cross-sectional study

Estrada-Araoz E.G.; Cruz-Laricano E.O.; Quispe-Aquise J.; Quispe-Mamani Y.A.; Bautista-Quispe J.A.; Pujaico-Espino J.R.; Cahuascanco-Quispe E.; Paricahua-Peralta J.N.; Velasquez-Giersch L. · Retos (2024) · DOI: 10.47197/retos.v61.110476

Resumen

Social media addiction has become an increasingly common problem affecting individuals of various ages. This phenomenon can significantly interfere with daily activities, the emotional well-being of users, and their interpersonal relationships. Additionally, the need to be constantly connected can lead to mental health issues. The present research aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between social media addiction and eating disorders in a sample of Peruvian university students. A quantitative, non-experimental, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of 297 students selected through probabilistic sampling, who were administered the Social Media Addiction Questionnaire (ARS) and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), instruments with adequate metric properties. Preliminary results indicate that the predominant level of social media addiction was low, while most students did not show a risk of developing eating disorders. Furthermore, it was determined that the Spearman rho correlation coefficient between the two variables was 0.295 and the p-value was below the significance level (p < 0.05). It was concluded that there is a significant relationship between social media addiction and eating disorders in a sample of Peruvian university students. This means that as the level of social media addiction increases, there is also an observed increase in the prevalence or severity of eating disorders.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga; Universidad Nacional del Altiplano; Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios; Universidad Andina del Cusco