The Role of Social Competence in Predicting the Body Image of Students with Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Adolescents undergo several mental and physical changes during puberty. They experience a transformation in self-perception and develop mental health issues, including body dysmorphic disorder, due to rapid changes in their physical appearance and the development of secondary features. In this regard, the present study evaluated the function of social competence in predicting the body image of female students with body dysmorphic disorder. The current research method is descriptive-correlational. In the academic year 2021-2022, all 354 female secondary school students with body dysmorphic disorder in Mashhad were included in the study's target population. Using the Krejcie and Morgan table and convenience sampling, 162 participants were selected for this study. Data were collected using Flener's Social Competence Questionnaire (1990), Fisher's Self-Concept Questionnaire (body image) (1970), Rabiei, Salahian, Bahrami, and Palahang's Body-Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (2013). By Pearson's correlation coefficient and multivariate regression, data analysis was done. Hence, social competence has a role in predicting the body image of students with body dysmorphic disorder, according to a study of the data. In the therapy of body image in individuals with body dysmorphic disease, it is suggested that psychological aspects, such as social competency, be considered.