Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery Among Generation Z University Students: A Sample from a State University

Objective: This study aimed to examine the distribution of attitudes toward cosmetic surgery among Generation Z university students, with respect to sociodemographic characteristics and social media use.Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 560 university students using a voluntary response convenience sampling method. Data were collected via an online survey between February and May 2025, using a Sociodemographic Information Form and the Cosmetic Surgery Acceptance Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA test were used in the analysis of the data. Results: The mean total score for participants on the Cosmetic Surgery Acceptance Scale was 48.55±17.12. A statistically significant difference was found between daily time spent on social media and following beauty/aesthetic content social media accounts and aesthetic surgery attitude scores (p < 0.001). Students who reported ≥10 hours of daily social media use had significantly higher scores than all other groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant difference in attitude scores towards aesthetic surgery was found according to the mother’s education level (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The research findings revealed that university students’ attitudes towards aesthetic surgery showed statistically significant differences according to their time spent on social media and their following of digital accounts with beauty/aesthetic content. Accordingly, it is recommended that education and counseling programs be developed focused on digital media literacy, body image, and critical social media use for university youth.