The Relationship Between Childhood Traumas with Social Appearance Anxiety and Symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder: The Mediating Role of Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and social anxiety are two concepts related to body dissatisfaction. These concepts have been linked to sociocultural attitudes to appearances and painful experiences in interpersonal relationships. Objectives: The present study examines the relationship between childhood traumas with social appearance anxiety (SAA) and BDD through the mediating role of sociocultural attitudes toward appearance (SATA). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 415 university students in Tehran, Iran using the convenience sampling method in 2019 - 2020. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 and Amos version 21 software. Results: According to our results, while childhood traumas were not directly related to BDD (β = 0.059; SE = 0.31), SAA seemed to play a statistically significant mediating role (β = 0.17; SE = 0.005). Moreover, childhood trauma was related to SAA both directly (β = 0.24; SE = 0.001) and through the mediating role of SATA. In addition, SATA (β = 0.17; SE = 0.005) significantly predicted BDD (β = 0.27, P < 0.001). The assumed model was in good fit with the acquired data (CFI = 0.97, GFI = 0.95, NFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.046). Conclusions: Children who have had traumatic experiences may experience anxiety and self-doubt. Thus, childhood traumas are ostensibly related to signs of BDD and SAA through the mediation of sociocultural attitudes. Childhood traumas can also predict susceptibility to rejection in interpersonal relationships. However, no results have been found to mediate rejection sensitivity concerning trauma with BDD and SAA.

Weight Stigma and Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Individuals

Purpose: The current study aims to examine weight stigma and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals and heterosexual men and women. Methods: The sample consisted of heterosexual and LGB men and women. Participants were drawn from introductory psychology classes and a variety of supplemental recruitment methods (Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, MTURK, etc.). Results: Individuals identifying as male and individuals identifying as heterosexual had significantly greater weight bias than individuals identifying as female and individuals identifying as LGB. Additional gender identity and sexual orientation mean group differences among sociocultural attitudes were observed. While there were modest associations between weight bias and overall sociocultural attitudes, gender identity and sexual orientation had little impact on the strength of these associations. Conclusion: This investigation contributes to knowledge of the impact of gender identity and sexual orientation on weight stigma and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance.Level of EvidenceIII: Evidence obtained from cohort or case–control analytic studies.

Investigating the Linkages between BMI, Body Image, and SATAQ among Young Asian Females

Sociocultural attitudes toward appearance and its linkage to body mass index (BMI) and body image is a relationship worth studying, especially in Asia, where the idealization of thinness can be prominent. The Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ) developed by Heinberg et al. in 1995 was used in this study to examine whether these beliefs have been internalized. Furthermore, the Body Esteem Scale (BES) was used to quantify body image. The formal in-person survey was administered in Taipei, Taiwan. There were 301 valid samples out of 330 surveyed respondents. To enhance the representativeness of the samples, a stratified sampling technique was applied to generate survey data with valid samples following gender and age distributions of the population between the ages of 14 and 28. The internalization dimension represented how strongly the respondents considered the importance of the socially accepted concept of appearance based on personal perceived social norms. The other dimension, awareness, represented the sociocultural pressures from the outside world, such as from the image of slimness illustrated in the media or group, in comparison to personal beliefs. Our results demonstrated that respondents with above-normal BMIs internalized the socially preferred standards of thinness more than respondents with normal or under-normal BMIs. Furthermore, results also revealed, overall, a negative relationship between SATAQ and body image and between body image and BMI. The study highlights the need to emphasize “fitness over thinness” to help improve negative body image among young Asian females.

Bonding With Parents, Body Image, and Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance as Predictors of Eating Disorders Among Young Girls

A more holistic approach to treatment and prevention focuses on identifying the multiple risk and protective factors for eating disorders. However, there is a lack of research verifying the nature of the relationship between patterns of bonding with parents, sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, body image, and their role in developing or preventing eating disorders. The main aim of the study was to verify whether there is a specific set of risk or/vs. protective factors/measures for behaviors and dispositions related to the development of eating disorders. The study group consisted of 134 young Polish females (M = 14.92; SD = 1.349), with an average body mass index. The variables were measured using the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire-3, The Multidimensional Body–Self Relations Questionnaire, and the Eating Disorder Inventory 3. Stepwise regression analysis was applied. Statistical analysis showed that bonding with parents (including maternal overprotection), body image (including overweight pre-occupation, fitness evaluation, health orientation, and self-classified weight), and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance (such as searching for information, pressures, and internalization) are predictors of eating disorder risks. On the other hand, maternal and paternal care (aspects of patterns of bonding with parents), positive fitness evaluation, positive appearance evaluation, and satisfaction with one's body were found to be the most significant protective factors. The results may improve prevention and intervention aimed at increasing protective factors.