EXPERIENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS, FITSPIRATIONAL CONTENT, AND PERCEPTION OF WELL-BEING AND SUCCESS AMONG YOUTH

Abstract

The current study explores the experience of youth consuming fitspirational content and how social media influencers and their content shape youth’s perception about success and well-being in one’s life. The current study aimed to investigate the in-depth understanding of young people and in their ideas regarding the consumption of the content, bridging the evidence-based research gap in Pakistan.  Convenient sampling technique was used to approach a sample of 10 participants (age ranging from 18-25 years old, 7 females and 3 males). Semi-structured and open-ended question were designed for the in-depth interview from the young participants, who follow social media influencers and fitspirational content. To examine the data, thematic analysis was used. The analysis categorized the data into two groups, first is the experience of social media and the second is perception of success and wellbeing.  Findings suggested that young people consume social media in a favorable manner. However, the subsequent themes indicate maladaptive influence, incongruent real and ideal selves and a suspension of disbelief from the utopian world among young people.

Keywords: Youth, Perceptions, Experiences, Social Media Influencers, Fitspirational Content, Thematic Analysis, Idealistic World.