Social Psychology Research

Abstract Introduction: Adolescent social media use is associated with significant psychological consequences. This study examined the mediating role of self-esteem in relationships between appearance anxiety, perfectionism, and social anxiety among teenage social media users. Methods: This applied research employed a descriptive-correlational design with structural equation modeling. The population included all high school students in Mashhad during the 2023-2024 academic year. Through two-stage cluster sampling, 460 social media users completed the Social Physical Anxiety Scale (Hart et al., 1989), Perfectionism Scale (Najarian et al., 2000), Adolescent Anxiety Questionnaire (LaGreca & Lopez, 1998), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965). Data analysis included Pearson correlation, independent t-test, and structural equation modeling. Results: Perfectionism and appearance anxiety directly affected social anxiety and indirectly through self-esteem (p < 0.0001). Gender differences in social anxiety, perfectionism, and self-esteem necessitated separate model testing. While the female model showed effect sizes similar to the general model, self-esteem's effect on social anxiety was non-significant in the male model (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Among adolescent female social media users, perfectionism and appearance anxiety contribute to increased social anxiety through reduced self-esteem. These findings highlight gender-specific pathways in these relationships.