Thesis:

The Relationship Between Body Perfectionism and Appearance Anxiety and the Tendency Toward Genital Cosmetic Surgery and Body Dissatisfaction Among Young Women in

The present study was conducted to determine the role of body perfectionism, appearance anxiety, and body dissatisfaction in predicting the tendency toward genital cosmetic surgery among young women in Mashhad. In terms of its objective, the study was applied in nature, and with regard to its nature and method of data collection, it employed a descriptive-correlational research design. The statistical population consisted of women aged 18 to 35 years living in Mashhad, from whom 120 participants were selected as the sample using convenience sampling. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires, including the Body Image Perfectionism Questionnaire (Yang et al., 2012), the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (Hart et al., 2008), the Body Shape Questionnaire–Short Form (Cooper et al., 1987), and the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (Herbenick et al., 2010) to assess the tendency toward genital cosmetic surgery. Finally, the data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and SmartPLS software. The results of the structural equation modeling indicated that body perfectionism had a direct and significant effect on the tendency toward genital cosmetic surgery. The effects of body perfectionism on the mediating variables, namely appearance anxiety and body image dissatisfaction, were also positive and significant. In addition, the direct effects of appearance anxiety and body image dissatisfaction on the tendency toward cosmetic surgery were confirmed. The results of the indirect hypothesis testing demonstrated that appearance anxiety and body image dissatisfaction played significant mediating roles in this relationship. Overall, the predictor variables in the present study accounted for 77% of the variance in the tendency toward genital cosmetic surgery. Therefore, body perfectionism appears to play a determining role in increasing women’s inclination toward genital cosmetic surgery, both as a direct motivating factor and indirectly through intensifying appearance anxiety and body image dissatisfaction. Accordingly, it is recommended that professionals place greater emphasis on preoperative psychological assessments and develop therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying perfectionistic tendencies, improving body image, and managing appearance-related anxiety, in order to promote psychological well-being and prevent unnecessary cosmetic surgeries. Keywords: Body Perfectionism, Appearance Anxiety, Body Dissatisfaction, Genital Cosmetic Surgery, Young Women

Keywords: Body Perfectionism, Appearance Anxiety, Body Dissatisfaction, Genital Cosmetic Surgery, Young Women