Body image dysphoria and quality of life among women who apply for cosmetic surgery

Abstract

Background: Body Image Dysphoria(BID) affects perceptions, thoughts, feelings. Usually cosmetic surgery is considered to improve self-perception and psychosocial functioning.The objective is to examine the relations between BID and Quality of Life(QoL) and changes after surgery. Methods: BID assessed by the Situational Inventory of Body Image Dysphoria(SIBID), QoL by SF-36 scale and Body Image Quality of Life Inventory(BIQLI). Female participants (n=80) aged 20-50, were divided into: Control Group(CG)- satisfied with appearance, Experimental Group1(EG1)- were operated, Experimental Group2(EG2)-planning surgery. Pierson correlation coefficient was used for statistics. Findings: Lowest QoL indicates EG2 for Emotional Well-being(EWB), Social Functioning(SF). These parameters increased by 20-25% in EG1. However, QoL is lower in EG1 than in CG by 10-20%. SIBID scores: EG1- 1.21 (SD=0.80), EG2- 2.04 (SD=0.73). Mean score- 1.09 (SD=0.90). BIQLI scores in EG1/EG2 are 1.25 (SD=0.73) /-0.5 (SD=0.94). Mean score is 1,00 (SD=1.09). Significant correlations are between: EG1- SIBID and Mental Health (r=-0.7), EG2- SIBID and SF(r=-0.63), EWB(-0.6), (p<0.5). Discussion: BI distress frequency interplays with low QoL and has negative influence on psychosocial well-being. Surgery effects BI satisfaction, however body acceptance stays a disturbing problem.