THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PARENTING STYLE AND SOCIAL MEDIA USE INTENSITY WITH THE RISK OF EATING DISORDERS AMONG FEMALE ADOLESCENTS AT SMPN 3 MAKASSAR IN 2026

Abstrak

Background : Eating disorders among female adolescents represent a significant mental health concern influenced by various psychosocial factors, including parenting style and the social media use intensity. Unsupportive parenting and exposure to idealized body standards on social media are believed to contribute to an increased risk of eating disorders. This study aimed to analyze the association between parenting style and social media use intensity with the risk of eating disorders among female adolescents at SMPN 3 Makassar. 
Methods : This study employed an observational analytic design with a cross-sectional approach involving 265 respondents selected through purposive sampling technique. Parenting style was assessed using the Parental Authority Questionnaire–Short Version (PAQ-SV), social media use intensity was measured using the Social Networking Time Use Scale (SONTUS), and the risk of eating disorders was assessed using the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and binary logistic regression. 
Results : The bivariate analysis showed significant associations between parenting style and the risk of eating disorders (p = 0.020), as well as between social media use intensity and the risk of eating disorders (p = 0.008). Multivariate analysis showed that permissive parenting (OR = 2.309; 95% CI = 1.021–5.221; p = 0.044) and very high social media use intensity (OR = 6.369; 95% CI = 1.743–23.269; p = 0.005) were the most dominant factors associated with an increased risk of eating disorders. 
Conclusion : Therefore, family-based preventive approaches are needed, including the promotion of authoritative parenting and education on controlled social media use, to reduce the risk of eating disorders among female adolescents.