The Relationship Between Social Appearance Anxiety, Automatic Thoughts and Depression-Anxiety-Stress in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

The aim of study is to examine the relationship between social appearance anxiety, automatic thoughts and depression, anxiety, and stress in university students. The research was carried out on a total of 381 participants, 214 of whom were women and 167 were men. The ages of the participants were between 18 and 35 and the mean age was 22. Data were collected via Social Appearance Anxiety Scale, Automatic Thoughts Scale and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale and Personal Information Form. Pearson Correlation was used to examine whether there is a relationship between social appearance anxiety, automatic thoughts, and depression, anxiety, and stress. Independent sample t-test was conducted to examine whether the automatic thoughts levels differed in terms of having an emotional relationship. Analysis of variance was used to reveal whether social appearance anxiety differentiated at the level of weight and height satisfaction. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to examine whether automatic thoughts and social appearance anxiety predicted depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. It was concluded that there are positive and significant relationships between social appearance anxiety, automatic thoughts, depression, anxiety, and stress. The automatic thought averages of who had an emotional relationship were found to be significantly lower than the averages of who did not have. It was determined that there is a difference in social appearance anxiety levels according to height satisfaction. It is thought that studies to reduce automatic thoughts may be effective in reducing psychological symptoms.