Compilation of a Structural Model of Body Image Based on the Attitude towards Eating with the Mediation of Dysfunctional Beliefs in People with Body Deformity Disorder Referring to Beauty Clinics

Body image is a multidimensional structure broadly defining the mental and internal manifestations of physical appearance and bodily experiences. It is associated with weak self-esteem, weak gender identity, and depression. Therefore,  the current research aims to develop a structural model of body image based on the attitude towards eating with the mediation of dysfunctional beliefs in people with body deformity disorder referring to the beauty clinics of Mazandaran province.

The current research method is correlation and structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population of the research was made up of people who were referred to the beauty clinics of Mazandaran province (the cities of Amol, Babol, Sari, and Qaem Shahr). According to Klein's opinion, the sample size was 330 cases selected in a purposeful and random way. The data collection tools included Sooto and Garcia's (2002) body image satisfaction scale, Connor et al.'s (1979) eating attitude scale, and Wiseman and Beck's (1982) dysfunctional beliefs scale. In this research, SPSS (version 22) and Amose (version 23) software packages were used to analyze the information obtained from structural regression equation modeling.

The results of the research demonstrated a relationship between attitude toward eating and body image with the mediation of ineffective beliefs in people with body deformities. Moreover, the data analysis showed the appropriateness of the indicators and indicated a very good fit for the research model at a significant level.

One of the prerequisites of behavior is attitude; in other words, every behavior that comes from a person is associated with some kind of attitude. According to this point of view, any particular attitude towards a special subject or phenomenon creates a certain readiness in people to perform behavior. Many diseases, including body image disorder, are directly or indirectly caused by a person's attitude towards eating or are affected by it, or at least, a person's attitude plays a role in its aggravation and durability.