Martina RIOLO
Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Edificio 15, Palermo, 90128, Italy.
e-Mail: martina.riolo@unipa.it
Education
Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology (LM-51)
Current Positions
PhD Student in Health Promotion and Cognitive Sciences
PhD project title and a short abstract
"Social Media, Body Image, and Psychophysical Well-Being in Adolescence: An Analysis of Risk and Protective Factors in Eating and Nutrition Disorders"
The intensive use of social media in recent years has raised concerns regarding its impact on adolescents' psychophysical well-being, particularly in relation to the emergence of Eating Disorders (EDs). This doctoral dissertation explores the influence of social media use on a sample of Italian adolescents, aiming to identify key risk and protective factors associated with dysfunctional eating behaviors. Specifically, it examines body-esteem, perceived social support, emotional intelligence, and social media usage.
Using a quantitative design, a structured questionnaire was administered to adolescents aged 13-18 years (N = 388). Results show that problematic social media use is linked to lower body-esteem and increased emotional vulnerability, which are associated with at-risk eating behaviors. Conversely, higher levels of social support and emotional intelligence serve as protective factors, mitigating the negative impact of social media.
This research highlights the importance of promoting emotional and digital literacy, and the role of family and school environments in preventing Eating Disorders.
Supervisor: Prof.ssa Maria Stella Epifanio
Main research areas of interest
Researcher ID
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5227-8854