Examining how body image and narcissism affect the link between perfectionism and body dysmorphic disorder in Chinese students

Background: Experts have recently integrated body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) into the DSM, which is characterized by an exaggerated concern over imagined or slight defect in the physical appearance of a body part(s). Individuals spend much time camouflaging and impairing their social, occupational, and interpersonal functions. Aim: This study delves into the interplay between body dysmorphic disorder, the feast of perfectionism, and their mediation by body image and narcissism among the Chinese student population. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used on a sample of 270, consisting (72.59% female and 27.40% male) students of Shaanxi Normal University, China, who were selected on the random sampling technique and measured through Chinese versions of questionnaires, Body dysmorphic disorder, Body image, multidimensional perfectionism, and narcissism. We used R-programming and SPSS to explore the association among study variables. Results: Results unveiled a negative association between body dysmorphic disorder, adaptive perfectionism, and narcissism, while maladaptive perfectionism and body image correlated positively with BDD. The gender differences were notable in age, narcissism, BMI, adaptive perfectionism, and maladaptive perfectionism. Interestingly, overweight students displayed a higher BDD risk than those underweight students. The path analysis revealed that maladaptive perfectionism significantly predicted BDD, directly and indirectly, through BI (p < .001). However, the unexpected results of direct prediction of BDD by adaptive perfectionism were not observed, contrary to indirect predictions via body image and narcissism in Chinese students. Conclusion: This study highlights the escalation of BDD across populations, urging greater attention from researchers, clinicians, and psychologists to prevent its rise.