Social-evaluative versus self-evaluative appearance concerns in Body Dysmorphic Disorder
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Updated: May 17, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Martin Anson1, David Veale, Padmal de Silva
1NIHR Specialist Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK. martin.anson@kcl.ac.uk
Abstract:
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is characterised by significant preoccupation and distress relating to an imagined or slight defect in appearance. Individuals with BDD frequently report marked concerns relating to perceived negative evaluation of their appearance by others, but research specifically investigating such concerns remains limited. This study investigated the extent and nature of appearance-related social-evaluative and self-evaluative concerns in individuals with BDD and healthy controls. BDD participants, in comparison to controls, reported high levels of importance and anxiety associated with perceptions of others' views of their appearance, in addition to their own view. No differences were observed in the level of importance and anxiety associated with their self-view in comparison to others' views. These findings support existing evidence indicating that appearance-related social-evaluative concerns are a central feature of BDD. Cognitive-behavioural treatment implications are discussed.
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