Skip to content
e‑ISSN 2148-905X Open Access · CC BY 4.0
Vol. 12 · Issue 3 · 2025 Dec 31, 2025 Research Article

Social Media Consciousness and Narcissism in Individuals Engaged in Pilates

CG
Cemal Guler Corresponding Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye cemal.guler95@gmail.com Turkey
Pages308-321 PublishedDec 31, 2025 LicenseOpen Access
PDF (Türkçe)
VOL 12 · ISS 3 · 2025 Sportive Perspective: Journal of Sports and Educational Sciences View issue

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the relationship between the conscious behaviors exhibited by individuals who do Pilates when using social media platforms and their narcissistic traits. The research population consists of individuals who do Pilates, and the study sample consists of individuals who do Pilates at a private Pilates studio in Istanbul, selected through purposive sampling. In addition to a personal information form, the Appearance-Related Social Media Awareness Level Scale and the Narcissism in Social Media Scale were used in the study. In the data analysis process, percentage and frequency values were used to determine socio-demographic characteristics. The distribution properties of the data, skewness and kurtosis values were examined, and it was determined that they were normally distributed. In this context, independent samples t-tests were used for binary variables, and one-way ANOVA tests were used for more than two variables. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the scale sub-dimensions. The study found a significant difference between social media awareness levels according to marital status, social media usage frequency, posting frequency, and income level. A significant difference was found between narcissistic tendencies and social media usage frequency, posting frequency, and income level. A positive correlation was found between age and the narcissistic admiration subscale, a negative correlation between age and the ARSMCS, and a positive correlation between the ARSMCS and narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry. Consequently, there is a relationship between participants' social media awareness levels and narcissism. It is recommended that social media awareness levels, particularly for young individuals, be increased and its effects on narcissism be evaluated.

Keywords

#Body image #narcissism #pilates #social media

References

  1. Afzal, Z., Kamran, F., & Anjum, A. (2025). Urdu translation and cross-language validation of appearance related social media consciousness scale for young adults. International Journal of Social Sciences Bulletin, 3(5), 654-662. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15494982
  2. Akdeniz, S., Budak, H., & Ahçı, Z. G. (2022). Development of a scale of narcissism in social media and ınvestigation of ıts psychometric characteristics. International Education Studies, 15(1), 200-209. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v15n1p200
  3. Akpınar, G., & Karakoç, E. (2022). Üniversite öğrencilerinin sosyal medyada benlik sunumlarının belirleyicisi olarak narsisizm. Uluslararası Kültürel ve Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 8(1), 201-220. https://doi.org/10.46442/intjcss.1119198
  4. Altınok, A., & Kılıç, N. (2020). Exploring the associations between narcissism, intentions towards infidelity, and relationship satisfaction: Attachment styles as a moderator. PLoS One, 15(11), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242277
  5. Arslan, S., & Taydaş, O. (2023). Sosyal medya kullanıcılarının narsistlik ve empatiklik düzeyleri: sivas ili örneği. Gümüşhane Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi, 11(1), 157-175. https://doi.org/10.19145/e-gifder.1197783
  6. Asgher, S., Gohar, I., & Latif, F. (2022). Social media and narcissism: cultivation analysis of association, elements and reasons. Pakistan Languages and Humanities Review, 6(4), 129-138. https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2022(6-IV)13
  7. Ayaz, A. (2025). The mediating role of social desirability in the relationship between appearance-related social media consciousness and filter. Çukurova Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 34(1), 174-186. https://doi.org/10.35379/cusosbil.1513658
  8. Balcı, Ş., & Gargalık, E. (2020). Narsisistik kişilik özellikleri ile sosyal medya kullanımı arasında bir bağlantı var mı? Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 44, 125-140.
  9. Balcı, Ş., & Sarıtaş, H. (2019). Sosyal medya kullanımının bir belirleyicisi olarak narsisizm: Konya’da yaşayan kullanıcılar üzerine bir inceleme. Akdeniz Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Dergisi, 31, 689-709. https://doi.org/10.31123/akil.530398
  10. Batrakoulis, A. (2022). Psychophysiological adaptations to Pilates training in overweight and obese individuals: A topical review. Diseases, 10(4), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases10040071
  11. Boursier, V., Gioia, F., & Griffiths, M. D. (2020). Selfie-engagement on social media: Pathological narcissism, positive expectation, and body objectification-Which is more influential? Addictive Behaviors Reports, 11, 100263. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ABREP.2020.100263
  12. Casale, S., & Banchi, V. (2020). Narcissism and problematic social media use: A systematic literature review. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 11(100263), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ABREP.2020.100252
  13. Choukas-Bradley, S., Nesi, J., Widman, L., & Galla, B. M. (2020). The appearance-related social media consciousness scale: Development and validation with adolescents. Body Image, 33, 164-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/.bodyim.2020.02.017
  14. Choukas-Bradley, S., Nesi, J., Widman, L., & Higgins, M. K. (2019). Camera-ready: Young women’s appearance-related social media consciousness. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 8(4), 473-481. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000196
  15. Cruz-Ferreira, A., Fernandes, J., Laranjo, L., Bernardo, L. M., & Silva, A. (2011). A systematic review of the effects of pilates method of exercise in healthy people. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 92(12), 2071-2081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2011.06.018
  16. Çetinkaya, A., Metin, A., Erbiçer, E. S., & Yavuz, E. (2022). Adaptation of appearance-related social media consciousness scale into Turkish: A validity and reliability study on adolescents. International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Research, 8(1), 63-70. https://doi.org/10.24289/ijsser.1034318
  17. Çimke, S., & Yıldırım Gürkan, D. (2023). Factors affecting body image perception, social media addiction, and social media consciousness regarding physical appearance in adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 73, e197-e203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2023.09.010
  18. Çömlekçi, M., & Başol, O. (2019). Gençlerin sosyal medya kullanım amaçları ile sosyal medya bağımlılığı ilişkisinin incelenmesi. Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 17(4), 173-188. https://doi.org/10.18026/cbayarsos.525652
  19. Davenport, S. W., Bergman, S. M., Bergman, J. Z., & Fearrington, M. E. (2014). Twitter versus Facebook: Exploring the role of narcissism in the motives and usage of different social media platforms. Computers in Human Behavior, 32, 212-220. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHB.2013.12.011
  20. Demir, S. Z. (2021). Yetişkin bireylerde sosyal medya kullanımının benlik saygısı ile ilişkisi: Narsizimin aracı rolü. Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 14(2), 245-271.
  21. Di Gesto, C., Benucci, S. B., Policardo, G. R., & Maheux, A. J. (2025). The appearance-related social media consciousness scale-Italian version (ASMCS-I) in young adults and adults. Body Image, 55(101969), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2025.101969
  22. Dinić, B. M., Sokolovska, V., & Tomašević, A. (2022). The narcissism network and centrality of narcissism features. SpringerBM Dinić, V Sokolovska, A TomaševićCurrent Psychology, 41(11), 7990-8001. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-01250-w
  23. Duman, N., Polat, Z., & Yıldırım, B. (2015). Investigation of the relationship between youth's social media usage purposes and appearance-related social media consciousness. İletişim Çalışmaları Dergisi, 11(1), 47-66. https://doi.org/10.17932/iau.icd.2015.006/icd_v011i1003
  24. Duyan, M., Ilkım, M., & Çelik, T. (2022). The effect of social appearance anxiety on psychological well-being: a study on women doing regular pilates activities. Pakistan Journal of Medical & Health Sciences, 16(2), 797-797. https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs22162797
  25. Frederick, C. M., & Zhang, T. (2019). Narcissism and social media usage: is there no longer a relationship?. Journal of Articles in Support of the Null Hypothesis, 16(1), 23-32.
  26. Ganster, F. M., Schwartz, K., Voracek, M., & Tran, U. S. (2025). Narcissism and mindfulness: A preregistered systematic review and three-level meta-analysis. Personality and Individual Differences, 246(113299), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2025.113299
  27. Ghandali, N. Y., Iravani, M., Habibi, A., & Cheraghian, B. (2021). The effectiveness of a Pilates exercise program during pregnancy on childbirth outcomes: a randomised controlled clinical trial. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 21(1), 480. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03922-2
  28. Gökmen, M., Tosun, M., & Baysal, S. (2025). Görünümle ilişkili sosyal medya bilinci, mahremiyet bilinci ve dinî tutum ilişkisi üzerine bir inceleme. Journal of Media and Religion Studies, 8(1), 371-389. https://doi.org/10.47951/mediad.1610294
  29. Gulsen, M. (2019). Evaluation of Pilates training on body awareness and social appearance anxiety in university students. European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science, 5(6), 56-65.
  30. Jondeau, E., & Rockinger, M. (2003). Conditional volatility, skewness, and kurtosis: existence, persistence, and comovements. Journal of Economic Dynamics & Control, 27(10), 1699-1737.
  31. Karakaya, İ. (2009). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri. Anı Yayıncılık.
  32. Kaya, S. (2025). Sosyal medya kullanan kadınların ideal dış görünüş algılarının çeşitli değişkenler açısından incelenmesi. Uluslararası Toplumsal Bilimler Dergisi, 9(1), 159-171. http://dx.doi.org/10.30830/tobider.sayi.21.9
  33. Kayan, F. (2025). Sosyal medya dış görünüş algısı: Dış görünüşle ilgili sosyal medya bilinci ölçek geliştirme. Akdeniz Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Dergisi, (48), 200-218. https://doi.org/10.31123/akil.1625535
  34. Kim, S., Jeong, Y., & Jung, Y. (2025). Unveiling the power of social influence: how functional, emotional, and social values drive Pilates participation through an extended TPB model. Frontiers in Psychology, 16(1453874), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1453874
  35. Kristinsdottir, K. H., Gylfason, H. F., & Sigurvinsdottir, R. (2021). Narcissism and social media: The role of communal narcissism. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19) 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910106
  36. Kurunç, S., & Şahin, M. (2023). Üniversite öğrencilerinde sosyal medya bağımlılığı ve narsisizm ilişkisi. Journal of Social, Humanities and Administrative Sciences, 9(61), 2267-2275. https://doi.org/10.29228/joshas.67710
  37. Leung, L., & Zhang, R. (2017). Narcissism and social media use by children and adolescents. Data Analytics and Survey Research Centre.
  38. Maheux, A. J., Roberts, S. R., Nesi, J., Widman, L., & Choukas-Bradley, S. (2022). Longitudinal associations between appearance‐related social media consciousness and adolescents’ depressive symptoms. Journal of Adolescence, 94(2), 264-269. https://doi.org/10.1002/JAD.12009
  39. Marshall, T. C., Lefringhausen, K., & Ferenczi, N. (2015). The Big Five, self-esteem, and narcissism as predictors of the topics people write about in Facebook status updates. Personality and Individual Differences, 85, 35-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.04.039
  40. McCain, J. L., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Narcissism and social media use: A meta-analytic review. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 7(3), 308-327. https://doi.org/10.1037/PPM0000137
  41. Meier, E. P., & Gray, J. (2014). Facebook photo activity associated with body image disturbance in adolescent girls. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(4), 199-206. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2013.0305
  42. Mohay, J., Cheng, K., de la Piedad Garcia, X., & Willis, M. L. (2025). The relationship between attachment styles and narcissism: a systematic and meta-analytic review. Personality and Individual Differences, 244(113255), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2025.113255
  43. Müller, K. W., Dreier, M., Beutel, M. E., Duven, E., Giralt, S., & Wölfling, K. (2016). A hidden type of internet addiction? Intense and addictive use of social networking sites in adolescents. Computers in Human Behavior, 55, 172-177. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHB.2015.09.007
  44. Öngören, B., Durdu, Z., Dongaz, Ö. İ., Bayar, B., & Bayar, K. (2021). Görünümle ilişkili sosyal medya bilinç ölçeğinin Türkçe uyarlaması: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. Journal of Health Science, 2(2), 33-38. https://doi.org/10.52831/kjhs.901294
  45. Özalp, H. K., & Akbulut, Ö. F. (2022). Does gender, getting an art education, and mental health explain the appearance-related social media consciousness?. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, 12(66), 431-441. https://doi.org/10.17066/tpdrd.1174974
  46. Öztürk, M. U., & Öztürk, M. S. (2022). The analysis of fine arts students’ social media awareness levels related to appearance. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 10(3), 722-739. https://doi.org/10.46328/IJEMST.2559
  47. Rauthmann, J. F. (2012). The Dark Triad and interpersonal perception: Similarities and differences in the social consequences of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 3(4), 487-496. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550611427608
  48. Sarman, A., & Çiftci, N. (2024). Relationship between social media addiction and appearance-related social media consciousness in Turkish adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 76, 99-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2024.02.008
  49. Singh, S., Farley, S. D., & Donahue, J. J. (2018). Grandiosity on display: Social media behaviors and dimensions of narcissism. Personality and Individual Differences, 134, 308-313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.06.039
  50. Şafak, B., & Kahraman, S. (2019) Sosyal medya kullanımının yalnızlık ve narsistik kişilik özelliği belirtileri ile ilgili ilişkinin incelenmesi. Avrasya Sosyal ve Ekonomi Araştırmaları Dergisi, 6(2), 54-69.
  51. Tazegül, Ü. (2013). Bazı branştaki sporcuların narsisizm düzeyleri ile sosyo-demografik özellikleri arasındaki ilişkinin belirlenmesi. Spor ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi, 4(1), 23-32.
  52. Tie, B., Yang, X., & Qiu, J. (2024). Validation of the appearance-related social media consciousness scale with Chinese adolescents and young adults. Elsevier, 48(101677), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.101677
  53. We Are Social UK. (2024). Digital 2024: 5 billion social media users - Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://wearesocial.com/uk/blog/2024/01/digital-2024-5-billion-social-media-users/
  54. Weinberg, I., & Ronningstam, E. (2022). Narcissistic personality disorder: Progress in understanding and treatment. Focus, 20(4), 368-377. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20220052
  55. Wright, A. G., Stepp, S. D., Scott, L. N., Hallquist, M. N., Beeney, J. E., Lazarus, S. A., & Pilkonis, P. A. (2017). The effect of pathological narcissism on interpersonal and affective processes in social interactions. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 126(6), 713-725. https://doi.org/10.1037/ABN0000294
  56. Yağar, F., & Dökme, S. (2018). Niteliksel araştırmaların planlanması: Araştırma soruları, örneklem seçimi, geçerlik ve güvenirlik. Gazi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 3(3), 1-9.
  57. Zeigler-Hill, V., & Dehaghi, A. M. B. (2023). Narcissism and psychological needs for social status, power, and belonging. Personality and Individual Differences, 210(112231), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2023.112231

License

CCBY 4.0
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

This work is openly licensed — share and adapt freely with attribution to the authors and the journal. View license terms ↗

Copyright (c) 2025 Sportif Bakış: Spor ve Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi

§ 06 — Related

Similar articles in this journal

Related peer-reviewed studies published in this journal.
View all issues