Relationship of Concern About Body Dysmorphia with External Shame, Perfectionism, and Negative Affect: The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion

Abstract

Background: With the advent of the third wave of cognitive-behavioral therapies, compassion and self-compassion were taken into consideration. Self-compassion serves as a protective factor against psychopathology. Shame, perfectionism, and negative affect are among the risk factors of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Self-compassion may decrease the negative effects of these factors on the dysmorphic concern. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to examine the protective effect of self-compassion against perfectionism, negative affect, and external shame in relation to concern about body dysmorphia. Methods: A convenience sampling method was used to select 210 students (103 males and 107 females) studying at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The dysmorphic concern questionnaire, self-compassion scale (short-form), external shame scale, negative affect scale, and perfectionism scale were applied as study tools. Pearson correlation coefficient and the path analysis of structural equation modeling were employed to analyze the data. Results: External shame, perfectionism, and negative affect had significant positive relationships with concern about body dysmorphia. Accordingly, there was a significant negative relationship between self-compassion and concern about body dysmorphia. Moreover, the results of path analysis showed that self-compassion played a mediating role in the relationship of concern about body dysmorphia with perfectionism and negative affect. However, it did not have a significant mediating role in the relationship between external shame and concern about body dysmorphia. Conclusions: Self-compassion can serve as a protective factor against perfectionism and negative affect to decrease the negative effects of these risk factors.