The Relationship between Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in Cosmetic Surgery

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to examine the relationship between symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (body image) and depression, anxiety, and stress as well as the mediating role of self-esteem in explaining this relationship in people undergoing cosmetic surgery. Methods: The following measurement instruments were used: (a) Sociodemographic variables; (b) The scale of depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS); (c) The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSS); Appearance Anxiety Inventory; (AAI). Results: The results of the Pearson correlation coefficient showed that depression, anxiety, and stress were associated with the symptoms of Body dysmorphic disorder, and depression was the most significant. The results of hierarchical regression analysis, as well as mediation analysis, showed that self-esteem has a mediating role in the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress, and symptoms of Body dysmorphic disorder. Conclusions: This research opens new directions for research in the areas of depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and body image in people who have undergone cosmetic surgery. It is also necessary to provide various psychoeducation programmes for the development of healthy ways of dealing with daily and life stressors, as well as support from psychotherapists whether it is anxiety, stress, depression, preoccupation with body image, or self-esteem.