Semnan University
Abstract: (1 Views)
Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the structural effect of insecure attachment styles on body dysmorphic symptoms in students, with the mediating roles of mentalization and self-compassion.
Methods: This research employed a descriptive-correlational method. The statistical population included all first and second grade high school students in Karaj during the 2024–2025 academic year. A sample of 397 students was selected through multistage cluster random sampling. The instruments used included the Fear of Body Image Concern Inventor (Littleton et al., 2005), Attachment Styles Questionnaire (Hazan & Shaver, 1987), Mentalization Scale (Dimitrijević et al., 2018), and the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003b). Correlation analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were employed for data analysis.
Findings: The results showed that both avoidant (β = 0.15, P = 0.004) and ambivalent (β = 0.16, P = 0.002) dimensions of insecure attachment had a direct and significant effect on body dysmorphic disorder symptoms. Furthermore, the indirect effect of insecure attachment styles, including avoidant (β = 0.199, P = 0.001) and ambivalent (β = 0.218, P = 0.001), on body dysmorphic disorder symptoms through the mediating variables of mentalization and self-compassion was confirmed, and the model demonstrated a good fit.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, insecure attachment styles, by reducing mentalization and self-compassion, contribute to increased body dysmorphic disorder symptoms in students. These results emphasize the necessity of considering mediating variables in clinical and educational interventions related to body dysmorphic disorder. It is suggested that in preventive and therapeutic programs, enhancing mentalization and self-compassion, along with addressing insecure attachment styles, be taken into consideration.
Methods: This research employed a descriptive-correlational method. The statistical population included all first and second grade high school students in Karaj during the 2024–2025 academic year. A sample of 397 students was selected through multistage cluster random sampling. The instruments used included the Fear of Body Image Concern Inventor (Littleton et al., 2005), Attachment Styles Questionnaire (Hazan & Shaver, 1987), Mentalization Scale (Dimitrijević et al., 2018), and the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003b). Correlation analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were employed for data analysis.
Findings: The results showed that both avoidant (β = 0.15, P = 0.004) and ambivalent (β = 0.16, P = 0.002) dimensions of insecure attachment had a direct and significant effect on body dysmorphic disorder symptoms. Furthermore, the indirect effect of insecure attachment styles, including avoidant (β = 0.199, P = 0.001) and ambivalent (β = 0.218, P = 0.001), on body dysmorphic disorder symptoms through the mediating variables of mentalization and self-compassion was confirmed, and the model demonstrated a good fit.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, insecure attachment styles, by reducing mentalization and self-compassion, contribute to increased body dysmorphic disorder symptoms in students. These results emphasize the necessity of considering mediating variables in clinical and educational interventions related to body dysmorphic disorder. It is suggested that in preventive and therapeutic programs, enhancing mentalization and self-compassion, along with addressing insecure attachment styles, be taken into consideration.
Keywords: Insecure Attachment Styles, Mentalization, Self-Compassion, Body Dysmorphic Symptoms, Students.
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
