Factors Associated with Body Dysmorphic Disorder Among Tertiary Students in Zamboanga

Grant Wynn  Arnuco,; Cristal Joyce  Teo,

Factors Associated with Body Dysmorphic Disorder Among Tertiary Students in Zamboanga

Discipline: social sciences (non-specific)

Abstract:

This study utilized a cross-sectional analytical design that determined the factors associated with body dysmorphic disorder among college students in Zamboanga City. A total of 373 respondents were included through multistage sampling. Five respondents with the highest score on the Appearance Anxiety Inventory tool were selected for the case series. The prevalence rate of the respondents who screened positive for body dysmorphic disorder is 8.80% with a 0.94:1 female-to-male ratio. Majority of the individuals who were screened positively for BDD showed concerns on how their nose looks. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed three factors that were strongly associated with body dysmorphic disorder. Identified predictors include chronic selfie behavior (OR =35.37, p <0.001), severe physical abuse (OR = 49.17, p < 0.001), and low self-esteem (OR 14.19, p <0.001). Case series also highlights how a combination of childhood trauma, social media influence, selfie behavior, familial pressure, and low self-esteem contribute to BDD tendencies among college students. This study confirmed previous findings that selfie behavior, perceived childhood trauma, and level of selfesteem were linked to body dysmorphic disorder. Addressing this issue involves navigating multiple complex factors. Thus, effective interventions must address these components separately, comprehensively, and holistically.

References:

Angelakis, I., Gooding, P. A., & Panagioti, M. (2016). Suicidality in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD): A systematic review with metaanalysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 49, 55–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.08.002
Balakrishnan, J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2018). An exploratory study of “selfitis” and the development of the Selfitis Behavior Scale. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 16(3), 722–736. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-017-9844-x
Gunstad, J., & Phillips, K. A. (2003). Axis I comorbidity in body dysmorphic disorder. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 44, 270–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-440X(03)00088-9
Hagborg, J. M., Kalin, T., & Gerdner, A. (2022). The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-SF) used with adolescents: Methodological report from clinical and community samples. Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, 15(4), 1199–1213. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-022-00443-8
Himanshu, Kaur, A., Kaur, A., & Singla, G. (2020). Rising dysmorphia among adolescents: A cause for concern. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 9(2), 567–570. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_738_19
Husain, Z., Janniger, E., Krysicka, J., Micali, G., & Schwartz, R. (2014). Body dysmorphic disorder: Beyond skin deep. Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia, 149(4), 447–452.
Phillips, K. A. (2000). Quality of life for patients with body dysmorphic disorder. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 188, 170–175. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005053-200003000-00007
Phillips, K. A. (2004). Body dysmorphic disorder: Recognizing and treating imagined ugliness. World Psychiatry, 3(1), 12–17. Phillips, K. A. (2007). Suicidality in body dysmorphic disorder. Primary Psychiatry, 14, 58–66. https://doi.org/10.1037/e721432007-007
Phillips, K. (n.d.). Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). International OCD Foundation. Retrieved August 26, 2024, from https://bdd.iocdf.org/professionals/prevalence/
Santiago, C. C., King-Ismael, D., & Reyes, M. E. S. (2023). Body dysmorphia and selfie behavior of Filipino patients with and without mild acne vulgaris: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Journal of Medicine, University of Santo Tomas, 7(1), 1112–1122. http://dx.doi.org/10.35460/2546-1621.2022-0042
Selfie posting behavior, self-objectification and body image dissatisfaction among women. (2024). Journal of Management Info, 9(4), 542– 555. https://doi.org/10.31580/jmi.v9i4.2751
Tuck, A. B., & Thompson, R. J. (2024). The Social Media Use Scale: Development and validation. Assessment, 31(3), 617–636. https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911231173080
Veale, D., Miles, S., Valiallah, N., et al. (2016). The effect of self-focused attention and mood on appearance dissatisfaction after mirrorgazing: An experimental study. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 52, 38–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2016.03.002
Weingarten, H., Renshaw, K. D., Wilhelm, S., Tangney, J. P., & DiMauro, J. (2016). Anxiety and shame as risk factors for depression, suicidality, and functional impairment in body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 204(11), 832.