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Longitudinal study of social anxiety symptoms and appearance rejection in predicting body dysmorphic symptoms: Appearance-based rejection sensitivity as a mediator

Previous findings from cross-sectional studies suggest that social anxiety symptoms and negative peers’ experiences regarding appearance were predictors of body dysmorphic symptoms through appearance-based rejection sensitivity. However, little is known about longitudinal relations and parental appearance rejection on body dysmorphic symptoms. Therefore, this study aims to examine the longitudinal mediation of appearance-based rejection sensitivity with social anxiety symptoms, remembered peers’, maternal, and paternal appearance-based rejection as predictors, and body dysmorphic symptoms as an outcome. The study included 277 university students who completed questionnaires in two-measurements points 5 months apart. The results indicated that social anxiety symptoms predicted changes in body dysmorphic symptoms through appearance-based rejection sensitivity. In addition, remembered childhood peers’ appearance-based rejection predicted both directly and indirectly changes in body dysmorphic symptoms over time. Maternal and paternal appearance-based rejection were not predictors of appearance-based rejection sensitivity or body dysmorphic symptoms. Findings support rejection sensitivity theory and the long- lasting impact of negative peers’ experiences for impaired body dysmorphic symptoms. However, further research regarding remembered parental negative experiences is needed.

Body dysmorphic disorder ; Appearance-based rejection sensitivity ; Maternal appearance-based rejection ; Paternal appearance-based rejection ; Peers` appearance-based rejection ; Social anxiety

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