The roles of appearance-based rejection sensitivity and race-based rejection sensitivity in Body Dysmorphic Symptoms

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rejection sensitivity (RS) is linked to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), possibly explaining the connection between past trauma and BDD symptoms (BDS). Most literature excludes the effects of specific forms of RS on BDS, and focuses on Western contexts. This study investigates appearance-based RS (RS-appearance) and race-based RS (RS-race) with relation to BDS in 267 Singaporean university students . RS-race was novelly investigated in its relationship with BDS. Indian and Malay minorities reported higher RS-race than Chinese participants. Both RS-appearance and RS-race were positively associated with BDS. RS-appearance predicted BDS when controlling for depressive symptoms, ethnicity, and RS-race. RS-race also predicted BDS when controlling for depressive symptoms, ethnicity, gender, and RS-appearance. These findings highlight potential roles of RS in BDD development.