user_item_layout.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<com.google.android.material.card.MaterialCardView xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:layout_width="250dp"
    android:layout_margin="5dp"
    app:cardCornerRadius="15dp"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    app:cardElevation="7dp">

    <LinearLayout
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="4dp"
        android:gravity="center_vertical">

        <ImageView
            android:id="@+id/senderImage"
            android:layout_width="178dp"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:adjustViewBounds="true"
            android:scaleType="centerCrop"
            tools:src="@drawable/pic2" /> <!-- Use a placeholder image for preview in the layout editor -->

    </LinearLayout>

</com.google.android.material.card.MaterialCardView>