Stimulating appearance comparison dynamics and their effects on psychological dysfunctions: The moderating role of self-compassion

• Published in: PloS one 2023-11, Vol.18 (11), p.e0293798-e0293798
• Main Authors: Nawaz, Humma, Rabia, Mahwish, Javed, Hubba, Yousaf, Muhammad, Mahmood, Shahid, Riaz, Muhammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Attitudes; Biology and Life Sciences; Body image; Celebrities; Comparison (Psychology); Computer and Information Sciences; Constraints; Depression, Mental; Eating; Eating disorders; Medical research; Medicine and Health Sciences; Medicine, Experimental; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Perceptions; Psychological aspects; Psychological research; Regression models; Self esteem; Social interactions; Social networks; Social Sciences; Stress (Psychology); Teenagers; Victimization; Young adults
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293798

In recent decades, attitudes towards appearance comparison, and self-disapproval have rapidly increased, and these are attitudes strongly associated with psychological disorders. The present study aims to investigate the underlying patterns of depression, appearance-based stress, dietary constraints, and social and celebrity appearance comparison among young adults. It also examines the role of self-compassion in moderating the relationship between psychological dysfunctions and appearance comparison as well as the criteria and influences contributing to appearance comparison. Data on BMI, the measures of depression, appearance-based stress, eating restraints, appearance comparison, self-compassion, and predictors of peers and celebrity appearance comparison were collected from 434 college students (Age: Mean = 22; SD = 2.36; Male = Female = 217) in Sialkot, Pakistan. The data was analyzed by using the Hierarchical Regression Model. The results revealed that respondents who compared their appearances to peers and celebrities had increased depression and appearance-based stress while eating constraints didn't affect the appearance-based comparison, stress, and depression. Moreover, self-compassion significantly moderated the relationship between depression, appearance-based stress, and appearance comparison whereas an insignificant moderation effect is observed between eating restraints and self-compassion. Despite psychological distresses such as depression, appearance-based stress, and eating restraints, appearance comparisons are connected to appearance-based victimization, media appearance pressure, social-cultural appearance pressure, appearance conversation, and self-consciousness.