The contribution of multidimensional perfectionism and aesthetic sensitivity to the prediction of dysmorphic and symmetry concerns in a community sample

Abstract

Background

Body image concerns exist on a continuum in the community, and can include dysmorphic as well as appearance-related symmetry concerns. The current study aimed to investigate the contribution of perfectionism and aesthetic sensitivity to the prediction of dysmorphic and symmetry concerns.

Method

Respondents were 343 individuals from the community. Basic demographic and mental health information (e.g. negative emotions) was collected. Online measures assessing dysmorphic concerns, including the presence and nature of symmetry concerns, multidimensional perfectionism and an aesthetic sensitivity task were completed. Two regressions (hierarchical and logistic) examined predictors of dysmorphic and symmetry concerns.

Results

Up to 42.9% and 53.9% of respondents respectively reported dysmorphic and symmetry concerns. The latter affected the breasts/chest, teeth, nose, and eyebrows. Socially-prescribed perfectionism significantly predicted dysmorphic and symmetry concerns, with self-oriented perfectionism also predicting symmetry concerns. Aesthetic sensitivity was not a significant predictor.

Conclusion

Symmetry concerns may be widespread in the community. Socially-prescribed perfectionism might be a viable therapeutic target for dysmorphic and symmetry concerns. Replication studies in clinical cohorts are needed to corroborate whether these trends extend to the clinical end of the body image spectrum.