Association of Body Shaming with Insomnia and Depression Among Female University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study: Body Shaming with Insomnia and Depression Among Female University Students

Mishal John; Tayyab Habib; Sana Rehman; Irzah Farooq; Manahl Imran

doi:10.54393/tt.v7i01.300

Authors

Mishal John Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, GIFT University, Gujranwala, Pakistan
Tayyab Habib Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, GIFT University, Gujranwala, Pakistan
Sana Rehman Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, GIFT University, Gujranwala, Pakistan
Irzah Farooq Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Manahl Imran College of Statistical Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/tt.v7i01.300

Keywords:

Body Image, Body Shaming, Depression, Insomnia, Mental Health, Objectified Body Consciousness

Abstract

Body shaming is becoming more and more common, and especially with the advent of social media, there has been the emergence of unrealistic body images and perceptions of self. Objectives: To test the relationship between body shaming, insomnia, and depression in female university students and to test the predictive value of body shaming on insomnia and depression. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study that was carried out between July and December 2023 at GIFT University, Gujranwala. Two hundred unmarried female students between the ages of 18 and 30 years were selected. The instruments were validated for data collection: the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the Goldberg Depression Scale (GADS). Correlation and regression analysis were done using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The average age of participants was 21 ± 2.3 years old, and most of the participants were in the 18-23 years old age bracket (86.5%). Body shaming was found to have a strong positive relationship with insomnia (r=0.91) and a significant relationship with depression (r=0.79). Regression analysis revealed that body shaming was a strong predictor of insomnia (R²=0.828) as well as depression (R²=0.633). There was no important difference between age groups in body shaming and insomnia, but there was a small difference in depression. Conclusions: There is a strong relationship between body shaming and increased prevalence of insomnia and depression among females at the university. Discussing body image issues can be a way of enhancing the mental health outcomes and preventing psychological distress in this group.

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