Body perception, social apperance anxiety and self compassion in women in middle adulthood

Studies aimed at understanding the effects of psychological well-being and psychological well-being on people are increasing every day, and the data received is of great importance today. It is known that individuals ' satisfaction with their bodies, positive perception of their bodies, and an increase in self-compassion levels affect psychological well-being. It is known that social appearance anxiety is a result of negative body perception, and negative body perception increases social appearance anxiety. Self-compassion acts as a buffer against negative body perception and feelings of shame, helping women to appreciate, accept and approach their bodies and abilities with a more caring attitude. Menopause, one of the physical and mental changes that women undergo throughout their lives, also affects the body perceptions of women in middle adulthood. In this study, it was predicted that the changes that women undergo in middle adulthood may affect their body perception, social appearance anxiety and self-compassion levels; for this purpose, it is aimed to decipher the relationship between variables. The relational screening model was used in the study and the data was collected using the research questionnaire, Body Perspection Scale (BAS), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS) and Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). The study's participants were 462 women who aged 20-65 and volunteered to participate in the study. As a result of examining the relationship between women's body perceptions, social appearance concerns and self-compassion levels, it was found that as women's self-compassion levels increased, their body perceptions increased. In the study, it was determined that as women's social appearance concerns increased, their body perception decreased. According to another finding, as women's self-compassion levels increase, social appearance concerns decrease. Research findings have been supported and discussed with domestic and foreign literature. The findings will shed light on the development of preventive programs so that women can approach their bodies more affectionately, more affectionately and more accepting. Determining variables related to women's body perceptions and conducting studies on them is very important for research employees working in the field of mental health. Key Words: Body Perception, Social Appearance Anxiety, Self-Compassion