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

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc., Training and Counseling Department, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Training and Counseling Department, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Psychological Department, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

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.  

Keywords

Acknowledgments: The study followed ethical guidelines and received approval from the appropriate authorities. This research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Central Tehran branch of the Islamic University under the Ethics Code IR.IAU.CTB.REC.1402.126. Ethical principles were closely followed throughout the study to safeguard the confidentiality and privacy of participant information.

 

Availability of data and materials: The data used in the research can be obtained by reaching out to the author before or after the study is published.

 

Conflicts of interests: The authors stated that they have no conflicting interests

 

Consent for publication: By signing the Consent to Publish form and submitting it to the Publisher, the authors authorize publication of the work.

 

Ethics approval and consent to participate: This research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Central Tehran branch of the Islamic University under the Ethics Code IR.IAU.CTB.REC.1402.126. Ethical principles were closely followed throughout the study to safeguard the confidentiality and privacy of participant information.This study was conducted following the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

 

Financial disclosure: The research project did not receive any financial support.

 

Author contributions: M.I.: Contributed to the conception of the work, revising the draft, approving the final version of the manuscript, and agreeing on all aspects of the work; Z.S.A.: Contributed to the data analysis and interpretation, critical revision, and approval of the final version of the manuscript; M.I.: Contributed to acquiring data, drafting the manuscript, and approving the final version; Z.S.A  and M.S.A.: Contributed to the conception and design of the study, critical revision, and approval of the manuscript's final version; M.I.: Contributed to the conception and design of the study, data interpretation, drafting of the manuscript and critical revision, and approval of final version.

 

Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Razavi International Journal of Medicine
Volume 13, Issue 1
special issue; Psychology in Health
March 2025
Pages 115-125

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