Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Hyperkyphotic Individuals Attributable to Social Media Influence

Abstract

Background: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a psychological condition characterized by an obsessive focus on perceived physical flaws, leading to distress, shame, and compulsive behaviors such as mirror checking. Concurrently, hyperkyphosis (forward head posture) is increasingly common due to excessive smartphone usage. Furthermore, the pervasive use of social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook) has amplified unrealistic beauty standards and perfectionism among users. Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of BDD among individuals with hyperkyphosis and to evaluate its association with social media usage. Methods: A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 127 participants from KIPS Academy and Habib Bank Limited in Sargodha. Data were collected using the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, and analyzed via SPSS version 27. Results: Regarding screen time, 53.54% (n=68) of participants spent less than 60 minutes on social media, while 46.46% (n=59) spent between 60 and 120 minutes. The prevalence of BDD was 52.76%, with the remaining 47.24% showing no symptoms. A Pearson chi-square test revealed a statistically significant association between BDD and social media use (p = 0.007). Conclusion: There is a notable prevalence of BDD among hyperkyphotic individuals, which is significantly associated with social media use. These findings highlight the psychological impact of social media on individuals with posture-related issues linked to device usage.