The prediction of body dysmorphic disorder based on emotional schemas, attachment styles, and personality traits in individuals prone to cosmetic surgery

research has shown the relationship between emotional schemas, attachment styles and personality traits in patients with Body dysmorphic disorder. But could this relationship be predicted in individual prone to cosmetic surgery?

The present study aimed to determine the roles of emotional schemas, attachment styles, and personality traits in body dysmorphic disorder in individuals prone to facial cosmetic surgery.

The study sample included 273 people selected using non-randomized sampling method among all individuals prone to cosmetic surgery in the city of Ahvaz. Participants completed Stoizin et al. body dysmorphic questionnaire (2007), Leahy’s emotional schema (2002), the NEO-short form of personality traits (2003), and Hazen and Shaver’s attachment style (1987).

The results of this study showed that according to the cut-off score of the body dysmorphic questionnaire, 1.7 percent of men and 8.8 percent of women suffered from body dysmorphic disorder. Conscientiousness in the first step (β=-0/34), avoidance attachment in the second step (β=0/28), and the simplistic view of emotions in the third step (β=0/21) as well as the control component in the fourth step (β=0/16) predicted body dysmorphic in women. In men, only validation predicted body dysmorphic (β=0/27).

The results of this study indicated the role of personality traits, attachment style, and emotional schemas in body dysmorphic disorder in men and women.