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The Role of Self-Criticism and Shame in Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviour Symptoms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2020

S. Houazene ,
F. Aardema ,
J. B. Leclerc  and
K. O'Connor
S. Houazene*
Affiliation:
Research Center, University Institute of Mental Health at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
F. Aardema
Affiliation:
Research Center, University Institute of Mental Health at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
J. B. Leclerc
Affiliation:
Research Center, University Institute of Mental Health at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
K. O'Connor
Affiliation:
Research Center, University Institute of Mental Health at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
*
*Corresponding author: Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, 7331 Hochelaga Street, Montreal, QC, Canada, H1N 3V2. Email: sarah.houazene@umontreal.ca.
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

body-focused repetitive behaviourseating disordersshameself-criticismcognitive emotion regulationperfectionism
Type
Standard Paper
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 38 , Issue 1 , April 2021 , pp. 10 - 24
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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