Designing and Testing Model of the Antecedents of Body Dysmorphic Symptoms in Students

The purpose of this study was designing and testing a model of antecedents of body dysmorphic symptoms in undergraduate studentsof Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. In the research's proposed model, media consumption, internalization of media models, appearance-based rejection sensitivity, appearance perfectionism and dysfunctional beliefs about appearance considered as antecedent variables, and body image concern, social anxiety about appearance, social withdrawal and compensatory behaviors for beauty and fitness (use of cosmetics, cosmetic surgery and efforts for fitness) were symptoms of body dysmorphic.
This study’s research design was correlational, through structural equation modeling (SEM). 542 undergraduate studentsof Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz (337 women and 203 men) was selected by using multistage random sampling method and completed eight scales of present study. The structural modeling analysis, with application of Anderson & Gerbing's two-step approach was used to test the proposed model. Also, bootstrapping method was used to evaluate indirect effects in the model.
Results showed that the fit indices for the proposed model are in the acceptable range; however, by imposing some modifications, the model achieves better fitness. Also, the results showed that all direct paths (except paths of media to appearance-based rejection sensitivity and perfectionism physical) are significant. As well, results of bootstrapping method showed that all indirect paths of the model are significant.
In general, results of present study showed formation of dysmorphic symptoms, especially compensational behaviors for beauty and fitness, through media effects, cognitive and personality variables in an Iranian sample. Also, these results in a theoretical and experimental tissue were explained and their theoretical and practical implications were presented.