The relationship between body discrepancy and body image maladaptive coping strategies in female students: The mediating role of self-compassion and body shame

Understanding the actual - ideal body discrepancy in individuals makes them use coping strategies to manage the distracting experiences of their body image. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of body discrepancy with body image maladaptive coping strategies (experiential avoidance and appearance fixation) with the mediating role of self-compassion and body shame. Sample consisted of 300 female undergraduate students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz who were selected by multi -stage random sampling. In order to collect information, we used the body-image ideals questionnaire, objectified body cnsciousness scale, body image coping strategies inventory, self-compassion scale (short form). The conceptual model of the present study was analyzed using path analysis method. The results indicated that the path coefficient of body discrepancy to experiential avoidance was not significant, but the path coefficient of body discrepancy to appearance fixation was significant. Furthermore, the path coefficient of self -compassion to body shame was significant. Also, indirect path of body discrepancy to body image maladaptive coping strategies through self-compassion and body shame was significant. Finding of this study is consistent with compassion focused therapy showed the role of shame and compassion as emotional aspect of body image disturbance.