Examination of body perception according to cognitive behavioral model: Body dysmorphic disorder and other related factors

The purpose of this study is to examination the relationship between Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and body perception and other related variables according to Cognitive Behavioral Model in a non-clinical population. The variables discussed in this study are Body Dysmorphic Disorder, current-ideal body perception, body dissatisfaction, social physique anxiety, sexual self-esteem and body image coping strategies. 367 people (179 women) between 18 and 65 participated the study. University of California in Los Angeles Body Matrices II, Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire, Body Cathexis Scale, Social Physique Anxiety Inventory, Sexual Self-Esteem Scale and Body Image Coping Strategies Inventory were conducted to participants. The first originality of this study is Body Matrices II is used for the first time in Turkey literature. Descriptive analyses to test of study hypothesis were performed. Group differences for gender and the groups formed according to body dissatisfaction based upon body matrices were examinated and relationships between basic variables in the context of BDD symptoms were examinated. In a consequence, significant differences were found in the variables according to gender. Also significant differences were detected according to body evaluations obtained using body matrices about current, ideal, thought of what others see them and thought of what is opposite sex find attractive. Significant differences were found for BDD semptoms, body mass index, social physique anxiety and appearance fixing among groups of satisfaction, partial dissatisfaction and fully dissatisfaction with body which were created according to current and ideal body evaluations. Finally, the common variables for both sexes determined associated with BDD symptoms in the correlation and regression analyses are the current-ideal fattiness difference, body dissatisfaction and social physique anxiety. It is thought that the information obtained from this study may be useful in terms of early intervention and gives point of different views in the diagnosis and treatment of BDD.