Evaluating perceptual measures of body image disturbance: relationships between dimensions and their predictive value in eating and body dysmorphic disorder symptomatology

Abstract

Abstract Body image disturbance is a common characteristic of eating and body dysmorphic disorders that can manifest through three theorised dimensions: evaluative, behavioural, and perceptual. Despite this, the perceptual aspect of body image disturbance is not well understood, nor how it relates to the evaluative and behavioural dimensions. This study investigates the relationship between the perceptual and other dimensions of body image disturbance, as well as its potential to predict symptoms of eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder. Two hundred and sixty-two female undergraduate students between the ages of 17 and 25 completed various assessment measures of body image disturbance, along with clinical measures for eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder symptoms. The findings revealed strong relationships overall between most perceptual measures and evaluative and behavioural measures. Additionally, multiple regression analyses showed that several perceptual measures were significant, unique predictors of symptoms related to eating disorders and, to a lesser extent, body dysmorphic disorder. These results provide valuable insight into the relationship between the three dimensions of body image disturbance as well as reinforce the importance of the perceptual dimension in understanding body image disturbance. We discuss the study's implications for understanding and addressing eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder.