Body Image and Meta-Worry as Mediators of Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- 1 Department of Psychiatry, AJA University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
- 2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- 3 Department of Psychiatry, Shahrekord University of Medical Science, Shahrekord, Iran
- 4 Department of Psychology, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran
Abstract
Objectives: Meta-worry and attitudes towards the body have been largely overlooked as potential risk factors for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) despite theorizing that a negative body image may play a critical role in the development of this disorder. Participants: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fit of a theoretical model specifying body image and meta-worry as mediators between cognitive, metacognitive beliefs and body dysmorphic disorder(BDD) in a nonclinical sample of 635 participants (304 male and 331 female). Results: The data supported the model, and meta-worry and body image significantly mediated the relationship between cognitive, metacognitive beliefs and BDD. These findings provide essential preliminary evidence that body image may represent a necessary but not sufficient risk factor for BDD and that treatment for BDD should consider targeting body-related pathology in addition to meta-worry. Conclusion: The model may prompt future research into body dysmorphic disorder.
- Van Ameringen, M., Patterson, B. and Simpson, W. (2014) DSM-5 Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: Clinical Implications of New Criteria. Depress Anxiety, 31, 487-493. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/da.22259
- Vulink, N.C., Sigurdsson, V., Kon, M., Bruijnzeel-Koomen, C.A., Westenberg, H.G. and Denys, D. (2006) Body Dysmorphic Disorder in 3%-8% of Patients in Outpatient Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Clinics (Stoornis in de lichaamsbeleving bij 3-8% van de patienten op de poliklinieken Dermatologie en Plastische Chirurgie). Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde, 150, 97-100.
- Williams, J., Hadjistavropoulos, T. and Sharpe, D. (2006) A Meta-Analysis of Psychological and Pharmacological Treatments for Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 99-111.
- Rabiei, M., Mulkens, S., Kalantari, M., Molavi, H. and Bahrami, F. (2012) Metacognitive Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder Patients in Iran: Acceptability and Proof of Concept. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 43, 724-729. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2011.09.013
- Sheppard, L.C. (2002) Emotional Disorders and Metacognition: Innovative Cognitive Therapy. Psychological Medicine, 32, 750-752.
- Cooper, M. (2003) Emotional Disorders and Metacognition: Innovative Cognitive Therapy. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 42, 105-106.
- Wells, A. and Matthews, G. (1996) Modelling Cognition in Emotional Disorder: The S-REF Model. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 34, 881-888.
- Papageorgiou, C. and Wells, A. (2003) An Empirical Test of a Clinical Metacognitive Model of Rumination and Depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 27, 261-273.
- Cooper, M. (2007) Metacognition in Body Dysmorphic Disorder—A Preliminary Exploration. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 21, 148-155. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/088983907780851568
- Veale, D. (2004) Advances in a Cognitive Behavioural Model of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Body Image, 1, 113-125. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1740-1445(03)00009-3
- Kostanski, M., Fisher, A. and Gullone, E. (2004) Current Conceptualisation of Body Image Dissatisfaction: Have We Got It Wrong? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines, 45, 1317-1325. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00315.x
- Rabiei, M., Salahian, A., Bahrami, F. and Palahang, H. (2011) Construction and Standardization of the Body Dysmorphic Metacognition Questionnaire. Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 21, 43-52.