TY - JOUR
T1 - The nature and functions of appearance-related comparisons in body dysmorphic disorder
AU - Turner, Mark A.
AU - Veale, David
AU - Anson, Martin
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Scandinavian Journal of Psychology published by Scandinavian Psychological Associations and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - Appearance-related comparisons (A-RCs) in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) are under researched despite their probable role in disorder maintenance. The present study therefore aimed to explore the nature (frequency, direction and automaticity), and functions of A-RCs in BDD. N = 43 including people with BDD (n = 23) and controls (n = 20) matched approximately on age and sex were recruited. A mixture of standardized and devised questionnaires on body image and A-RCs were completed. A-RCs were significantly more frequent, generally more upward (to more attractive standards of comparison), and more automatic in people with BDD relative to the control group. People with BDD also held significantly stronger agreement with beliefs about A-RCs as serving functions of: self-evaluation, self-improvement, self-enhancement, and in particular, self-loathing (a way to confirm beliefs about physical unattractiveness) and social threat management. This research presents evidence that the nature and functions of A-RCs in BDD have a role in this disorder's maintenance. Clinical implications, limitations, and future directions for research are discussed.
AB - Appearance-related comparisons (A-RCs) in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) are under researched despite their probable role in disorder maintenance. The present study therefore aimed to explore the nature (frequency, direction and automaticity), and functions of A-RCs in BDD. N = 43 including people with BDD (n = 23) and controls (n = 20) matched approximately on age and sex were recruited. A mixture of standardized and devised questionnaires on body image and A-RCs were completed. A-RCs were significantly more frequent, generally more upward (to more attractive standards of comparison), and more automatic in people with BDD relative to the control group. People with BDD also held significantly stronger agreement with beliefs about A-RCs as serving functions of: self-evaluation, self-improvement, self-enhancement, and in particular, self-loathing (a way to confirm beliefs about physical unattractiveness) and social threat management. This research presents evidence that the nature and functions of A-RCs in BDD have a role in this disorder's maintenance. Clinical implications, limitations, and future directions for research are discussed.
KW - appearance-related comparisons (A-RCS)
KW - Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
KW - functions
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85197743382&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/sjop.13043
DO - 10.1111/sjop.13043
M3 - Article
C2 - 38982183
AN - SCOPUS:85197743382
SN - 0036-5564
VL - 65
SP - 1066
EP - 1074
JO - Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
JF - Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
IS - 6
ER -