Comparative Study on Impact of Social Comparison on Body Esteem Moderated by Cognitive Flexibility Among Millennials and GenZ

Abstract

The study aimed to compare the impact of social comparison on body esteem, moderated by cognitive flexibility, among Millennials and Gen Z. A cross-sectional research design was employed with data collected from 195 participants, including both millennials and gen z using convenient sampling. The research found that Millennials engage in significantly higher levels of social comparison than Gen Z, which in turn influences body esteem. A moderate positive relationship between social comparison and body esteem was observed for both groups, but the effect was more pronounced in Millennials. Cognitive flexibility acted as a moderator in this relationship, helping individuals adapt to social comparisons, though this effect was stronger among Millennials. There was no significant difference between the two generations in terms of cognitive flexibility or body esteem, suggesting that other factors, such as emotional regulation or media literacy, might also play a role. These findings highlight generational differences in the way in which social comparison and cognitive flexibility influence self-perception in the context of body image.