The Impact of Body-image on Social Anxiety: The Double Mediation Effects of Maladaptive Self-focused Attention and Post-event Rumination

Author(s):  
Mina CHOI ◽  
Kyung PARK
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni Pikoos ◽  
Simone Buzwell ◽  
Gemma Sharp ◽  
Susan Rossell

The popularity of videoconferencing platforms has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, there have been concerns regarding the potential for video-calls to promote appearance dissatisfaction, as individuals are exposed to their reflection on camera for extended periods. The current study characterised current video-usage behaviours and their relationship with appearance dissatisfaction and interest in beauty procedures in the general population. An online survey was completed by 379 adults currently living in Australia. Multiple aspects of video usage were assessed, including engagement in ‘video-manipulation’ techniques to enhance appearance and the focus of visual attention while on video-calls (i.e. on self or others). The Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire was administered to determine if video-use behaviours were associated with greater body image disturbance. Over one-third of participants had identified new appearance concerns while on video. Dysmorphic concern was associated with self-focused attention, video manipulation behaviours and increasing appearance concerns. Individuals who identified new video-based appearance concerns reported greater interest in obtaining future beauty and cosmetic procedures. This is the first study to report the potential risks of video-call usage on body image and appearance dissatisfaction. Further research is needed to understand how best to mitigate these risks, as COVID-19 accelerates a virtual age of communication.


2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Schreiber ◽  
Christiane Heimlich ◽  
Clea Schweitzer ◽  
Ulrich Stangier

Background and Aims: Several studies have shown that cognitive therapy is an effective treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD). However, it remains unclear which of the complex interventions are associated with an anxiety reduction during the course of treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the intervention referred to as the “self-focused attention and safety behaviours experiment” on treatment outcome. Method: This study was part of a randomized controlled trial including 16 sessions of either individual cognitive therapy (CT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT) for SAD. Of particular importance, a concomitant time-series analysis was used to investigate the impact of the self-focused attention and safety behaviours experiment on subsequent social anxiety (1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the intervention) in 32 patients with SAD, who are receiving cognitive treatment. Results: The results revealed a significant reduction of social anxiety after the self-focused attention and safety behaviours experiment during the subsequent month of treatment. Conclusion: The findings of the current study confirm current cognitive theories of SAD and demonstrate the importance of interventions that target self-focused attention and safety behaviour in cognitive therapy for SAD.


2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noreen L. Watson ◽  
Nicole L. Harris ◽  
Michael Sustaita ◽  
Joshua Gottlieb ◽  
Aaron K. Haslam ◽  
...  

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