compilation a model of social anxiety and associations with body dysmorphic disorder: Mediating role of fear of positive and negative evaluation

Body dysmorphic disorder is an obsessive compulsive disorder that interferes in social, educational and career functioning. The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of fear of positive and negative evaluation in relationship between social anxiety and body dysmorphic disorder. The study method was descriptive and correlational. The population of this study included all undergraduate and master students in the academic year 2015-16 in international university of Imam Khomeini. 1000 students were selected by cluster sampling method and completed questionnaires and then by useing purposive sampling method 218 students were selected as the final sample. The study tools were Body Dysmorphic Metacognitive Questionnaire (Rabiei et al), Social Phobia Inventory (Connor et al), Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale- short form (Leary) and Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale (Weeks et al). Data were analyzed by using structural equation modeling. The results showed that fear of positive and negative evaluation mediated the relationship between social anxiety and body dysmorphic disorder. The direct effect of social anxiety on body dysmorphic disorder was approved. Therefore, the interventions that target fear of positive and negative evaluation as the central components of social anxiety, can help to stop the growth of body dysmorphic disorder.