Relationship between Personality Traits and fear of body image in female students: The mediating role of mindfulness

The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of mindfulness in relation to personality traits and body image concerns among female students. The present study was a descriptive-correlational study of path analysis. The statistical population of the study included all female students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad who were studying at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the academic year 1399-1400. The statistical sample of this study was 509 people who were selected by available means due to the prevalence of corona and the virtual nature of the university. Data collection was the Hexaco Personality Questionnaire (HEXACO_60, Ashton and Lee, 2009), the Mindfulness Scale (MAAS, Brown and Ryan, 2003), and the Littleton Body image concern Questionnaire (BICI, Littleton et al., 2005). Data analysis of this study was performed by path analysis using SPSS 26 and AMOS 24 software. The results showed that the model fits well. Findings showed that personality traits have a direct effect on body image concerns in girls (P = 0.001) and also have an indirect effect on body image concerns (P = 0.001) through the mediating role of mindfulness. Consequently, mindfulness interventions are helpful for people with body image concerns who have the personality traits of conscientiousness, emotionality, extraversion, and honesty.