Developing a Structural Model of Body Image Concern based on Cognitive Reappraisal and Cognitive Fusion Mediated by Experiential Avoidance

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Body image concern cause a decline in many cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social functions. Therefore, the aim of this study was developing a structural model of body image concern based on cognitive reappraisal and cognitive fusion mediated by experiential avoidance.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional from type of correlation. The population of the present study was all female high school students of Karaj city in the 2023-4 academic years, which 357 people were selected using multistage cluster sampling method. The instruments of this study included the Body Image Concern Inventory (Littleton et al., 2005), Cognitive Reappraisal Subscale of the Emotion Regulation questionnaire (Gross & John, 2003), Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (Gillanders et al., 2014), and the Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (Bond et al., 2011). The data of this research were analyzed using structural equation modeling method in SPSS and AMOS software.

Findings: The results of the present study indicated that the model of body image concern based on cognitive reappraisal and cognitive fusion mediated by experiential avoidance had a good fit. In this model, the direct effect of cognitive reappraisal on experiential avoidance and body image concern was negative and significant, the direct effect of cognitive fusion on experiential avoidance and body image concern was positive and significant, and the direct effect of experiential avoidance on body image concern was positive and significant (P<0.001). Also, the indirect effect of cognitive reappraisal and cognitive fusion mediated by experiential avoidance on body image concern was positive and significant (P<0.001).

Conclusion: According to the above results, to reduce body image concern can be used educational workshops to provide the basis for increasing cognitive reappraisal and reducing cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance.