Risk and Protective Factors of Dysmorphic Concerns Among Married Females: Role of Physical Appearance Comparison

Abstract

This study was a cross-sectional study which aimed to examine the interplay of risk factors (partner rejection & partner neglect), protective factors (partner acceptance & body appreciation), physical appearance comparison (upward & downward) and dysmorphic concerns among married females. The sample was collected from 302 married females within the age range of 35-65 years. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data. The measures used in the current study are Intimate Adult Relationship Questionnaire (Rohner, 2013), Body Appreciation Scale (Tylka &Wood- Barcalow, 2015), Upward and Downward Physical Appearance Comparison Scale (O’Brien et al., 2009) and Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (Oosthuizen et al., 1998). The findings of the current study suggested that Protective factors (partner acceptance and body appreciation) and risk factor (partner rejection) significantly predicted dysmorphic concerns among married women. The current study also revealed that the relationship between partner acceptance, body appreciation, partner rejection and dysmorphic concerns was mediated by upward physical appearance comparison. Whereas downward physical appearance comparison mediate the relationship between body appreciation, partner rejection, and dysmorphic concerns. The present study has implications in clinical settings, as well as for spouses by providing substantial support marital stress can be reduced, and more public awareness can be created. The furthermore, the limitation of the study was that only a selective age range and gender was selected.