Evaluation of the relationship of self-images with social appearance anxiety and cognitive distortions in adolescents

Introduction and Aim: When the literature is examined, there are studies that found that self-image and social appearance concerns are associated with cognitive distortions in adolescence, which is one of the most important periods of the life process. In this context, our study aimed to reveal the relationships between self-image, social appearance anxiety and cognitive distortion. Method: Approximately 398 adolescents between the ages of 14-17, randomly selected from the central districts of Istanbul, participated in the study. In the study, the Personal Information Form Offer Self-Image Scale, Social Appearance Anxiety Scale, and Cognitive Distortion Scale were applied to the participants. Results: As a result of the analysis, it was concluded that the Self-Perception, Social Appearance Anxiety and Cognitive Distortion scores differ according to the sociodemographic data of the participants. It was observed that there were negative correlations between the participants' self-perception and social appearance anxiety, negative relationships between self-perception and cognitive distortions, and positive relationships between social appearance anxiety and cognitive distortions. Conclusion: The negative relationship between self-perception and social appearance anxiety can be interpreted as that as the self- perception score of adolescents increases, social appearance anxiety decreases. The negative relationship between self-perception and cognitive distortions indicates that as self-perception increases, social appearance anxiety decreases. In addition, the positive relationship between social appearance anxiety and cognitive distortions indicates that as social appearance anxiety scores increase in adolescents, cognitive distortion scores also increase. It would be beneficial to conduct more studies for adolescents in intervention programs that will improve self-image and reduce social appearance anxiety and distortions.