(PS9-72) The Influence of Appearance-Related Safety Behaviors on Perfectionism: A Multi-Method Analysis

Perfectionism is a transdiagnostic process that has been shown to maintain and increase risk for several psychological disorders. In particular, the concern over mistake making dimension, a core feature of perfectionism, appears to be particularly elevated among disorders characterized by appearance concerns (i.e., eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, and social anxiety disorder). Additionally, those with appearance-related psychopathology frequently engage in appearance-related safety behaviors (ARSBs), suggesting that it may be an effective treatment target for alleviating appearance concerns. Although studies suggest a relationship between perfectionism and appearance concerns, and between appearance concerns and ARSBs, no studies to date have investigated the relationship between perfectionism and ARSBs. The current study examined this relationship using a multi-method approach that incorporated two separate studies, one correlational and one experimental. Study 1 examined the relationship between perfectionism and ARSBs, while controlling for appearance concerns, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. College students who identified as women (N = 70) completed two virtual study appointments one month apart. Results from a series of hierarchical linear regressions revealed that ARSBs uniquely predicted perfectionism over and above appearance concerns cross-sectionally, but not longitudinally. Additionally, Study 2 investigated whether an experiment designed to reduce ARSB use led to decreases in perfectionism. Female-identifying college students (N = 94) who met criteria for an appearance-related disorder were randomly assigned to either an ARSB fading condition or a self-monitoring control condition. Results from this study revealed that those assigned to fade ARSBs exhibited greater reductions in their post-manipulation concern over mistakes than those assigned to the control group. However, this relationship was fully mediated by reductions in appearance concerns. These findings help clarify relationships between variables important to the maintenance of appearance-related psychopathology. Additionally, these findings provide initial insights into the effectiveness of ARSB fading as a novel target for the treatment of perfectionism.