Analysis of students’ attitudes to aesthetic interventions

Abstract

Introduction. In modern society, aesthetic procedures have become a widespread phenomenon, especially among young people, driven by the influence of social media, the formation of unrealistic beauty standards, and the desire to improve self-esteem. At the same time, the growing popularity of such interventions is accompanied by risks to physical and mental health, which highlights the need to study young people’s attitudes towards aesthetic procedures, their awareness of risks, and the role of the nurse in performing and ensuring the safety of these interventions.

The aim of the study – to determine, based on a comprehensive sociological analysis, the features of students’ attitudes towards aesthetic procedures, to assess the role of social media in shaping these attitudes, to identify the level of awareness of risks, and to define the place of the nurse in the system of safe provision of aesthetic services.

The main part. The study involved 60 students from higher education institutions in the city of Ternopil. An anonymous survey was conducted using an author-designed questionnaire. Invitations to participate were distributed through student groups on social media, and completing the questionnaire was voluntary. The gender distribution was uneven: 87 % of respondents were women and 13 % were men, which is explained by lower interest of men in the topic of aesthetic interventions. The study initiator joined student groups on social media and invited students to complete the questionnaire on a voluntary basis. The results showed that the vast majority of respondents have a positive attitude towards aesthetic procedures: 61 % consider them an acceptable way to improve appearance, and 80 % recognize them as a common phenomenon in society. A significant influence of social media on shaping perceptions of beauty was identified (78 % of respondents). The level of awareness of risks is also high (77 %), although overall knowledge about the procedures remains moderate (45 %). At the same time, young people demonstrate a responsible approach to safety: 86 % are willing to seek medical consultation, 80 % prioritize safety over aesthetic results, and 87 % focus on the availability of licenses when choosing a specialist. Trust in medical personnel is high: 82 % consider the medical education of the practitioner important, 73 % prefer medical personnel over individuals without medical education. A significant proportion of respondents (60 %) expressed a desire to change their appearance; the most commonly identified problem areas were skin (43 %), figure/body weight (31 %), and nose (23 %).

Conclusions. Students’ attitudes towards aesthetic procedures are predominantly positive, shaped significantly by the influence of social media. Despite moderate overall knowledge about the procedures, young people demonstrate a high level of risk awareness and a responsible approach to safety, which is reflected in their trust in qualified medical professionals, particularly nurses with appropriate training. The obtained data substantiate the need to develop educational programs aimed at improving media literacy and forming realistic expectations, with the involvement of nurses who play an important role in ensuring the safety of aesthetic procedures.