Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery Among Generation Z University Students: A Sample from a State University

Ayşe Sezer Balcı; Rukiye Bay; Beyzanur Güzel

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1912943

Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery Among Generation Z University Students: A Sample from a State University

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the distribution of attitudes toward cosmetic surgery among Generation Z university students, with respect to sociodemographic characteristics and social media use. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 560 university students using a voluntary response convenience sampling method. Data were collected via an online survey between February and May 2025, using a Sociodemographic Information Form and the Cosmetic Surgery Acceptance Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA test were used in the analysis of the data. Results: The mean total score for participants on the Cosmetic Surgery Acceptance Scale was 48.55±17.12. A statistically significant difference was found between daily time spent on social media and following beauty/aesthetic content social media accounts and aesthetic surgery attitude scores (p < 0.001). Students who reported ≥10 hours of daily social media use had significantly higher scores than all other groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant difference in attitude scores towards aesthetic surgery was found according to the mother’s education level (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The research findings revealed that university students’ attitudes towards aesthetic surgery showed statistically significant differences according to their time spent on social media and their following of digital accounts with beauty/aesthetic content. Accordingly, it is recommended that education and counseling programs be developed focused on digital media literacy, body image, and critical social media use for university youth.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Prior to the research, ethical approval was obtained from the university ethics committee (Date: 05.11.2024, Decision No: GO 2024/608). Institutional permission was obtained from the faculties involved in the study, and verbal consent was obtained from the participating students. Permission to use the scale used in the study was obtained from the scale's author.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health Nursing

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ayşe Sezer Balcı ^*
0000-0002-6520-1669
Türkiye

Rukiye Bay
0009-0000-5244-6862
Türkiye

Beyzanur Güzel
0009-0005-6908-6214
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 8, 2026

Submission Date

March 19, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: April, May, June 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1912943

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA93BX94LX

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Sezer Balcı, A., Bay, R., & Güzel, B. (2026). Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery Among Generation Z University Students: A Sample from a State University. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 17(April, May, June 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1912943

AMA

1.Sezer Balcı A, Bay R, Güzel B. Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery Among Generation Z University Students: A Sample from a State University. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17(April, May, June 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1912943

Chicago

Sezer Balcı, Ayşe, Rukiye Bay, and Beyzanur Güzel. 2026. “Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery Among Generation Z University Students: A Sample from a State University”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 (April, May, June 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1912943.

EndNote

Sezer Balcı A, Bay R, Güzel B (June 1, 2026) Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery Among Generation Z University Students: A Sample from a State University. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 April, May, June 2026

IEEE

[1]A. Sezer Balcı, R. Bay, and B. Güzel, “Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery Among Generation Z University Students: A Sample from a State University”, Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg, vol. 17, no. April, May, June 2026, June 2026, doi: 10.31067/acusaglik.1912943.

ISNAD

Sezer Balcı, Ayşe - Bay, Rukiye - Güzel, Beyzanur. “Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery Among Generation Z University Students: A Sample from a State University”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17/April, May, June 2026 (June 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1912943.

JAMA

1.Sezer Balcı A, Bay R, Güzel B. Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery Among Generation Z University Students: A Sample from a State University. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17. doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1912943.

MLA

Sezer Balcı, Ayşe, et al. “Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery Among Generation Z University Students: A Sample from a State University”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 17, no. April, May, June 2026, June 2026, doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1912943.

Vancouver

1.Ayşe Sezer Balcı, Rukiye Bay, Beyzanur Güzel. Attitudes Toward Cosmetic Surgery Among Generation Z University Students: A Sample from a State University. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026 Jun. 1;17(April, May, June 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1912943