Affiliation:
1. School of Psychology Beijing Language and Culture University Beijing China
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveDisrupted interoception has been found in individuals with body image concerns and related psychiatric conditions (i.e., eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder). However, few studies have explored the role of interoception in the relationship between body image concern and self‐objectification (SO). As components of the bodily self, interoception and body image may also contribute to the fostering of self‐consciousness.MethodsThe current study estimated the network model of body image concern, adaptive and maladaptive interoceptive sensibility (IS), self‐consciousness, and SO, with data from 743 neurotypical adults. The centrality of nodes and the robustness of the network were verified.ResultsOur network showed that interoception correlated with certain characteristics of body image concern (BIC) with varying strength and different directions. The most central node described beliefs of BIC, namely, negative evaluation toward appearance. Self‐objectification and maladaptive IS presented the highest bridge centrality. Interoception also linked BICs with SO and self‐consciousness.ConclusionFindings suggested that SO, adaptive and maladaptive interoception might be the targets of intervention for individuals with BIC, specifically for those with high levels of appearance‐related negative self‐evaluations.