Cognitive Avoidance and Self-differentiation: Predicting Body Deformity Symptoms in Women Visiting Beauty Clinics

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder is a psychological condition in which an individual is convinced that there is an imperfection in their physical appearance, causing them significant distress and prompting repetitive actions. Objectives: The current study aimed to predict body deformity symptoms in women visiting beauty clinics by analyzing cognitive avoidance and self-differentiation.  Methods: The study was conducted based on a correlational descriptive approach. The statistical population included females who attended beauty clinics in District 3 of Tehran in 2023. Convenient sampling was utilized as the sampling method. The required data were gathered using the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Short Form and Revised Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. The data analysis technique involved Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression. The collected data were analyzed in IBM SPSS version 26.  Results: The findings showed a clear negative relationship between the total self-differentiation score (r=-0.47) and its elements, such as personal identity (r=-0.19), relationships with others (r=-0.39), and emotional reactivity (r=-0.37), and symptoms of body deformity in women seeking beauty treatments. Conclusion: According to the research results, it can be inferred that cognitive avoidance and self-differentiation play a crucial role in alleviating symptoms of body deformity among women undergoing beauty treatments. Therefore, this information can be used as a basis for developing therapeutic and educational initiatives aimed at addressing these concerns.

Cognitive Avoidance and Self-differentiation: Predicting Body Deformity Symptoms in Women Visiting Beauty Clinics Keywords:

Body Deformity Symptoms , Cognitive Avoidance , Self-Differentiation , Women