cognitive avoidance and self-differentiation: predicting body deformity symptoms in women visiting beauty clinics

Background: body dysmorphic disorder is a psychological condition in which an individual is convinced that there is an imperfection in their physical appearance, causing them significant distress and prompting repetitive actions. objectives: the current study aimed to predict body deformity symptoms in women visiting beauty clinics by analyzing cognitive avoidance and self-differentiation.  methods: the study was conducted based on a correlational descriptive approach. the statistical population included females who attended beauty clinics in district 3 of tehran in 2023. convenient sampling was utilized as the sampling method. the required data were gathered using the differentiation of self inventory-short form and revised yale-brown obsessive-compulsive scale. the data analysis technique involved pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression. the collected data were analyzed in ibm spss version 26.  results: the findings showed a clear negative relationship between the total self-differentiation score (r=-0.47) and its elements, such as personal identity (r=-0.19), relationships with others (r=-0.39), and emotional reactivity (r=-0.37), and symptoms of body deformity in women seeking beauty treatments. conclusion: according to the research results, it can be inferred that cognitive avoidance and self-differentiation play a crucial role in alleviating symptoms of body deformity among women undergoing beauty treatments. therefore, this information can be used as a basis for developing therapeutic and educational initiatives aimed at addressing these concerns.