Coping Strategies on Social Appearance Anxiety (SAA): A Cross-cultural Study Among Young Adults in Malaysia and Ireland

Wong, Jia Xuan (2023) Coping Strategies on Social Appearance Anxiety (SAA): A Cross-cultural Study Among Young Adults in Malaysia and Ireland. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Objective: The current study aims to investigate how coping strategies and social support predict social appearance anxiety (SAA) among young adults in Malaysia and Ireland. Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted 168 participants (n=168), with 24 males and 143 females aged 18 to 29. Participants completed an online survey questionnaire shared across social media platforms. It consisted of an informed consent, socio-demographic information, the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), the Brief-COPE Inventory (BCI), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and a debriefing sheet. Results: The gender differences in SAA, coping strategies, and perceived social support were not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant cultural difference on SAA between Malaysia and Ireland. Avoidant-focused coping was found to predict SAA to a statistically significant degree and was the strongest predictor in Malaysia (β=.31, p=.008) and in Ireland (β=.40, p=.004). In Ireland, family support showed a statistically significant effect on predicting SAA (β= -.45, p=.001). After controlling country of residence, avoidant coping was a significant positive predictor, whereas family support was a significant negative predictor on SAA. Implications: The present study has crucial implications for mental health professionals working with individuals experiencing SAA by reducing avoidant-focused coping and enhancing family support.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Supervisors:	Name Email Mothersill, David UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology > Body image R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA790 Mental Health
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Tamara Malone
Date Deposited:	01 Jun 2023 16:57
Last Modified:	01 Jun 2023 16:57
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/6727

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