Published Paper Details:

Over the past decade, social media has become deeply embedded in the everyday lives of adolescents. Beyond simple communication, these platforms now shape how young people explore identity, perceive their appearance, and evaluate their overall sense of self. In this context, the present study explored the psychological correlates of social media engagement among Indian early adolescents residing in Dubai, with particular attention to physical self-perception and self-esteem. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed using a sample of 102 students studying in Grades 6 to 8 in private English-medium schools in Dubai. Participants were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Standardized instruments used in the study included the Social Media Engagement Questionnaire (SMEQ), the Body Appreciation Scale for Adolescents (BASA), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and independent samples t-tests. The findings indicated a statistically significant positive association between social media engagement and physical self-perception. However, no significant relationship was observed between social media usage and self-esteem. Gender differences in both physical self-perception and self-esteem were not statistically significant. A significant negative relationship was found between physical self-perception and self-esteem. Appearance-based comparison did not significantly predict body dissatisfaction. The findings highlight the complex and culturally shaped nature of social media's psychological influence on adolescents within multicultural environments such as Dubai. The study contributes to the growing literature on adolescent digital behavior and underscores the need for balanced digital engagement and supportive social environments to promote healthy self-development.