Relationship Between Physical Self Perception and Body dysmorphic symptoms: The role of comparison of beauty standards during developmental years

The present research investigates the influence of self-perception and early childhood social comparison to beauty standards on the development of body dysmorphic symptoms in adulthood. A sample of 288 adults; aged 18 to 40, were assessed for their childhood experiences of social comparison and their current body image concerns by using Body Self Esteem Scale, Body Dysmorphic Symptoms Scale, and Physical Appearance Comparison Scale revised -3. The research aimed to shed light on the role of early self-perception and cultural influence on getting shaped by societal beauty standards, contributing to the onset of body dysmorphic disorder symptoms in adulthood. The findings highlighted that younger individuals; particularly adolescents and young adults, show a higher prevalence of symptoms of BDD as compared to older individuals. A moderate negative correlation between Self-Perception and Comparison as well as a weak negative correlation with BDD symptoms. Conversely, a moderate positive correlation was observed between the Comparison as per beauty standards and the body dysmorphic disorder symptoms.