| The increase in TikTok usage has raised significant concerns and has been linked to
issues related to mental health and body image. In Malawi, the extent of TikTok's penetration and
usage remains unclear, as the platform launched in 2016. Although recent studies have been
conducted, there is insufficient data to determine the severity of the problem. This study was
conducted in Malawi, a country in Southern Africa, involving 224 students from the Malawi
University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) who participated in an online survey.
The survey included questions designed to assess their mental health, body image, and
daily use of TikTok. Using Pearson's Correlation, we explored the potential association among
TikTok use, mental health, and body image. The results indicated a significant relationship
between excessive TikTok usage and mental health, particularly among young female university
students. These findings suggest that increased time spent on TikTok can negatively impact
mental health, subsequently affecting body image, especially in relation to the type of content
consumed.
Keywords: TikTok use, Mental health, Body Image, Malawi, University Students |