The bidirectional association between body dysmorphic symptoms, body image inflexibility, and appearance-related safety behaviors in young Chinese women
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21579866 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Xiaole Huang (0000-0003-4218-2976, Zhangzhou Normal University), Youwei Yan (0009-0003-0094-8416, Fujian Normal University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Pages | 1-19 |
| Publication date | 2025-09-17 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Psychology & Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0887-0446 • E-ISSN: 1476-8321 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/08870446.2025.2560366 |
| PMID | 40963292 |
| OpenAlex | W4414306509 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 59 |
OBJECTIVES: Previous studies and theories have shown a bidirectional association between body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) symptoms, body image inflexibility, and appearance-related safety behaviors. Most previous studies are cross-sectional studies, lacking longitudinal studies. We aimed to explore the roles of body image inflexibility and appearance-related safety behaviors in BDD symptoms through a longitudinal study. METHODS AND MEASURES: A questionnaire-based method was employed to conduct three follow-up measurements with a three-month interval among 325 female college students in China. RESULTS: Cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) revealed that there are bidirectional associations between BDD symptoms and body image inflexibility, between BDD symptoms and avoidance behaviors, and between avoidance behaviors and body image inflexibility to some extent. The random intercept cross-lagged model (RI-CLPM) showed that at the within-individual level, avoidance behaviors at T1 can positively predict body image inflexibility at T2. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the chronicity of BDD arises from the dynamic association between the trait vulnerability of body image inflexibility and the process of behavioral reinforcement. The treatment of BDD needs to block avoidance behaviors and modify such trait vulnerability
Body dysmorphic disorder · Trait · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Tattoo and Body Piercing Complications
Relational Frame Theory
The Negative Physical Self Scale
“Everybody Knows That Mass Media are/are not [ pick one ] a Cause of Eating Disorders”
Effect size guidelines for cross-lagged effects.
Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders
Tie Measurement of Social Physique Anxiety
A critique of the cross-lagged panel model.
Common method biases in behavioral research
Examining how body image and narcissism affect the link between perfectionism and body dysmorphic disorder in Chinese students
An initial examination of the associations between appearance‐related safety behaviors, socioemotional, and body dysmorphia symptoms during adolescence
The interplay among BMI, body dissatisfaction, body appreciation, and body image inflexibility in Chinese young adults
Assessment of body image flexibility
Thin Is In? Think Again
Repetitive, Safe, and Automatic
Short-video platform use and adolescent body dissatisfaction
| Highly cited | No |
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