YAZAWA MIKAKO

Evidence suggests that maternal parenting attitudes experienced during childhood may lead to the development of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), although its mechanism remains uncertain. This study aimed to examine whether maternal parenting attitudes such as care and overprotection were related to dysmorphic concern and whether rejection sensitivity mediated these relationships. A total of 428 Japanese university students took part in a web-based survey. Although maternal care was not significantly associated with dysmorphic concern, a significant positive association was found between maternal overprotection and dysmorphic concern. Furthermore, both maternal care and maternal overprotection were related to dysmorphic concern via rejection sensitivity. Future studies should examine whether these findings can be replicated among patients with BDD.

As a result of the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a number of problems related to people's appearance have emerged, including Zoom dysmorphia. As online video calls on platforms such as Zoom become commonplace, psychological problems pertaining to selective attention to one's own appearance-related defects and distorted self-perception have surfaced. In this study, I reviewed previous research on appearance problems arising due to the with/after Corona era, and subsequently discussed the new psychological challenges.