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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
09:14

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A twin study of body dysmorphic concerns.

B Monzani1, F Rijsdijk, M Anson

  • 1Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK. benedetta.monzani@kcl.ac.uk

Psychological Medicine
|December 1, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Dysmorphic concerns, an excessive preoccupation with perceived appearance flaws, are a heritable trait. Genetic factors contribute significantly, alongside non-shared environmental influences, highlighting the complex origins of body image concerns.

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Last Updated: May 27, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Genetics
  • Twin Studies

Background:

  • Dysmorphic concern involves preoccupation with slight or perceived physical appearance defects.
  • Concerns exist on a spectrum from minimal to severe.
  • This study investigated the heritability of these concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the heritability of dysmorphic concerns.
  • To determine the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to dysmorphic concerns.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a large twin registry (n=3544, female twins).
  • Administered a validated self-report measure for dysmorphic concerns.
  • Employed twin modeling to analyze genetic and environmental variance.

Main Results:

  • Genetic factors explained approximately 44% of the variance in dysmorphic concerns.
  • Non-shared environmental factors and measurement error accounted for 56% of the variance.
  • Shared environmental factors had a negligible impact.

Conclusions:

  • Dysmorphic concern is a heritable trait.
  • Non-shared environmental factors also play a significant role.
  • Findings are relevant to psychiatric disorders involving body appearance concerns, such as body dysmorphic disorder.