An investigation of the association between body appreciation, need for self‐expression, and interest in cosmetic enhancing procedures.

ARABS; BODY image; CONFIDENCE intervals; CONSUMER attitudes; STATISTICAL correlation; INVESTMENTS; ISLAM; PSYCHOLOGY; QUESTIONNAIRES; REGRESSION analysis; RESEARCH; RESEARCH evaluation; STATISTICAL sampling; SELF-evaluation; SELF-perception; PLASTIC surgery; UNIVERSITIES & colleges; BODY mass index; UNDERGRADUATES; CROSS-sectional method; DESCRIPTIVE statistics

Purpose: To examine the association between body appreciation and three factors reflective of individuals' need for self‐expression: uniqueness, investment in a distinctive appearance, and interest in cosmetic enhancements. Design and Methods: Cross‐sectional, correlational design. Participants (N = 256) completed measurements of body appreciation, interest in cosmetic enhancements, need for uniqueness, and investment in a distinctive appearance. Findings: Body appreciation was associated with the need for uniqueness and a distinctive appearance investment. Only a generalized need for uniqueness was associated with a greater tendency to use cosmetic enhancing procedures. Implications: Body appreciation appears to be related to established markers of positive striving for uniqueness. Thus, the use of cosmetic enhancements may serve to promote a unique sense of self and, potentially, a more positive body image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]