The relationship between body dysmorphic disorder symptoms and self‐construals

Background: Cognitive models of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) suggest that beliefs and evaluations related to self‐concept are central to the maintenance of the disorder, but such beliefs have received little empirical attention. This study examined the relative importance of contingent self‐worth and self‐ambivalence to BDD symptoms in comparison to their importance to obsessive–compulsive disorder and social phobia symptoms. Method: The sample comprised 194 non‐clinical participants (female, N = 148; males, N = 46) with a mean age of 24.70 years (standard deviation = 9.34). Participants were asked to complete a battery of self‐report questionnaires. Results: While significant relationships were found between the self‐beliefs and symptoms of all three disorders, some specificity was found in the relationships. Conclusions: Self‐worth based upon appearance was most important in BDD, while contingent self‐worth based on the approval of others was important in social phobia. Self‐ambivalence was associated with each disorder. Implications and limitations are discussed.