Body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs), such as hair-pulling, skin-picking, and nail-biting, are non-functional habits associated with difficulties in emotion regulation. Although several models have been developed to explain the difficulties experienced by people suffering from BFRBs, a number of cognitive and emotional processes have yet to be explored. This study sought to investigate the psychological characteristics involved in the development and maintenance of BFRB symptoms. In particular, we aimed to evaluate the relationship of self-criticism, shame, and maladaptive cognitive emotion strategies with symptoms and examine if the relationship between perfectionism and symptoms was mediated by self-criticism and shame. Seventy-six participants from a community sample completed a number of self-report measures. Findings from our multivariate linear regression model supported that shame and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies significantly predicted BFRB symptoms. Results of our mediational analyses revealed that shame significantly mediated the relationship between perfectionism and BFRB symptoms. Interventions that target shame may be beneficial for treating these conditions. Future studies should replicate these findings with clinical populations and other BFRB subtypes.

中文翻译：

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自我批评和羞耻在以身体为中心的重复行为症状中的作用

以身体为中心的重复行为（BFRBs），例如拉头发、抠皮肤和咬指甲，是与情绪调节困难相关的非功能性习惯。尽管已经开发了几种模型来解释患有 BFRB 的人所经历的困难，但仍有许多认知和情感过程有待探索。本研究旨在调查 BFRB 症状的发展和维持所涉及的心理特征。特别是，我们旨在评估自我批评、羞耻和适应不良的认知情绪策略与症状之间的关系，并检查完美主义与症状之间的关系是否由自我批评和羞耻感调节。来自社区样本的 76 名参与者完成了多项自我报告措施。我们的多元线性回归模型的结果支持羞耻和适应不良的认知情绪调节策略显着预测 BFRB 症状。我们的中介分析结果显示，羞耻感显着调节了完美主义和 BFRB 症状之间的关系。针对羞耻感的干预措施可能有助于治疗这些疾病。未来的研究应在临床人群和其他 BFRB 亚型中复制这些发现。