Beyond the Mirror: Psychological Correlates of Body Image Dissatisfaction

Body image dissatisfaction (BID) is associated with compromised psychological well-being (PWB) and quality of life (QoL); however, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain underexplored in non-Western populations. This study tested whether psychological distress mediates the BID-PWB and BID-QoL relationships among college-going young adults in urban India, and examined gender differences across these pathways.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 225 participants (125 females, 100 males; M age = 19.87 years, SD = 1.95) from University of Delhi-affiliated institutions. BID, psychological distress, QoL, and PWB were assessed using validated self-report instruments. Structural equation modelling (SEM) with bootstrapped indirect effect analysis (2,000 resamples; 95% bias-corrected CIs) examined direct and mediated pathways.

The final model demonstrated excellent fit (χ ² [26, N = 225] = 34.99, p = .112; CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.04). BID dimensions-self-aggrandisement, body acceptance, and vitality-exerted significant indirect effects on QoL and PWB via psychological distress, with direct pathways non-significant after accounting for the mediator, indicating full mediation. Physical contact and sexual fulfilment showed additional direct associations with specific QoL and PWB indices. Contrary to prevailing assumptions, no gender differences emerged in psychological distress, suggesting BID-related psychological burden is equitably distributed across genders.

BID compromises QoL and PWB primarily through psychological distress, identifying distress reduction as an efficient intervention target. These findings extend the body image literature into a collectivistic cultural context, suggesting that sociocultural factors attenuate gender-differential vulnerability patterns observed in Western samples. Culturally adapted, distress-focused interventions within college mental health frameworks are recommended; longitudinal research is needed to establish causal directionality.