Trapped Between Mirrors and Screens: The Role of Offline and Online Appearance Concerns in Adolescent Mental Health

Offline appearance concerns are closely linked to mental health difficulties, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as to concerns about appearance in online contexts. However, empirical evidence remains limited within non-Western cultural contexts such as Türkiye, where cultural norms reflect a dynamic interplay between autonomy and relatedness. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of online appearance concern, conceptualized through appearance-based social comparison and objectified body consciousness, in the relationship between offline appearance concern and psychological distress among adolescents. A nationally representative sample of 1,045 adolescents ( M = 15.75, SD = 1.09, Range = 13-19) from diverse regions of Türkiye participated in the study. The study’s findings revealed that offline appearance concerns, together with online appearance concerns, were significantly and positively associated with an increased risk of psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) among adolescents in Türkiye. The statistical mediation of online appearance concerns in the association between offline appearance concerns and mental health symptoms was also significant. The study’s results underscore the importance of addressing both offline and online appearance-related pressures in adolescent mental health by considering the intersection of traditional cultural values and global media influences.