Dysmorphic appearance concern among Chinese adolescents and emerging adults

The primary aim of this study was to examine age-related patterns of dysmorphic appearance concern from adolescence through adulthood. In the current study, 4,919 (3,165 women, 1,754 men) Chinese adolescents and adults (ages 15–24) were recruited to complete the Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI) to assess dysmorphic appearance concern. A quadratic relationship between age and dysmorphic appearance concern was observed for each sex, with dysmorphic appearance concern peaking at 20 years old. Women generally had higher levels of dysmorphic appearance concern than men, but the gender difference was mainly driven by more safety behaviors among women. Women residing in an urban area scored higher on the BICI than their counterparts living in a rural area. Psychological distress accounted for 14.7% and 17.0% of the variance in dysmorphic appearance concern among men and women, respectively, over and above the influence of age and BMI. Findings of the study suggest dysmorphic appearance concern is common among male and female adolescents and emerging adults in China. Prevention programs focused on addressing dysmorphic appearance concern should be provided to young adolescents to reduce the negative impacts of this symptomology.