THE IMPACT OF BODY IMAGE DISSATISFACTION AND OBSESSIVE–COMPULSIVE SYMPTOMS ON MENTAL WELL-BEING: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SOCIAL ANXIETY AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of body image dissatisfaction and obsessive–compulsive symptoms on mental health, with social anxiety using as a mediating variable among adolescents. Adolescence is a critical developmental stage where psychological vulnerabilities pertaining to anxiety, emotional functioning, and attractiveness concerns become more noticeable. The purpose of the study was to investigate the connections between negative body image, OCD symptoms, social anxiety, and mental health, as well as the mediating function of social anxiety in these relationships. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional design. 200 teenagers who were conveniently recruited from educational institutions made up the sample. Standardized self-report questionnaires measuring social anxiety, OCD symptoms, body image dissatisfaction, and mental health were filled out by participants. Pearson product–moment correlation analysis was conducted to examine associations among variables, while mediation analyses were performed using regression analysis. The findings revealed significant positive relationships between body image dissatisfaction and social anxiety (r = .544, p < .001), and between obsessive–compulsive symptoms and social anxiety (r = .757, p < .001). Both body image dissatisfaction (r = −.239, p < .001) and obsessive–compulsive symptoms (r = −.269, p < .001) were negatively associated with mental well-being. Social anxiety also showed a significant negative relationship with mental well-being (r = −.272, p < .001). Mediation analyses indicated that social anxiety fully mediated the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and mental well-being. Similarly, social anxiety significantly mediated the relationship between obsessive–compulsive symptoms and mental well-being. The study highlights the important role of social anxiety as an underlying psychological mechanism linking body image dissatisfaction and obsessive–compulsive symptoms with poorer mental well-being among adolescents.