Attitude toward Selfie Taking and its Relation to Body Image and Narcissism in Medical Students

Abstract

Background: The recent and rapidly popularized social phenomenon of selfie taking has been showing an increasing trend. It is thus imperative to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of the groups toward this phenomenon. Selfie taking is associated with younger age groups and hence, we aimed to explore the attitudes toward selfie taking and its relation toward body image and narcissism in medical college students. Methodology: This was cross-sectional study and had two groups with Group A comprising 92 first year medical students and Group B including 103 postgraduate (PG) medical students from various specialties. They were interviewed in a single session using the scale of attitude toward selfie-taking questionnaire, Body Image Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (BIAAQ), and the narcissistic personality inventory. Scores obtained were computed using basic descriptive statistics and t -test where appropriate. Results: A strong positive favorable trend toward selfie taking was noticed among both groups (A = 56.5%, B = 45.6%). There was no difference in attitude between the two groups, or difference in the gender between those clicking their own selfies regularly within each group. BIAAQ reflected a significant difference among male subjects of the two groups with PG students was more concerned about body image ( P = 0.001), whereas female subjects of both groups showed no such difference. The narcissism traits also showed a significant difference, only when males of both groups were compared again in favor of PG medical students ( P = 0.022). Conclusion: This study revealed that selfie-taking is popular among medical students both in their undergraduate and PG period. Further research in diverse clinical and nonclinical populations is warranted to explore the relation between this phenomenon and body image acceptance or narcissistic traits.

Selfie-related concepts and behaviors among Egyptian and Saudi nursing students: a comparative study

“…At the same time, postgraduate males scored much higher in body image acceptance than undergraduate males. People who were more satisfied with their body image posted more confident selfies to Instagram, according to their research [ 19 ].…”

“…Further research found that body image dissatisfaction is closely linked to depression, eating disorders, and low self-esteem [ 17 , 18 ]. Certain study revealed that people who were more satisfied with their body image posted more selfies to Instagram confidently showing off [ 19 ].…”

Towards a theoretical understanding of the selfie: A descriptive review

“…Researchers who attempt to examine selfies within the framework of dramaturgy often relate the selfie to the production of body image-making (Dutta et al, 2018). The formation of body image through the selfie cannot be separated from the creation of the self.…”

“…As selfies become a new form of digital culture, scholars have begun to examine questions relating to the motivations that shape the digital activities of selfie‐taking and selfie‐posting. Recent studies have generally focused on the psychological dispositions that underpin the phenomenon of selfie‐taking and selfie‐posting (Biolcati & Passini, 2018; Dutta et al, 2018; Sorokowski et al, 2015). Biolcati and Passini (2018), for example, relate the selfie‐taking and selfie‐posting behavior to narcissism and poor self‐esteem.…”

Selfie phenomenon among a sample of Egyptian university students: rate and psychiatric correlates

“…Behavioral addictions are addictions to activities or processes such as gambling, eating, tanning, sexuality, and shopping. These types of addiction may be more common in more youthful age group [1].…”