Journal of New Advances in Educational Management

Journal of New Advances in Educational Management

Prediction of Body Image Concern Based on Psychological Trauma and Self-Criticism among Students of Islamic Azad University, Zanjan Branch

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Samin Afshari 1
Fatemeh Nazari 2
1 Master of General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran.
10.22034/njournal.2025.528921.1053
Abstract
Background and Objective: Body image concern is one of the major psychological issues among youth and university students, which can have widespread negative effects on their mental health and quality of life. This concern is often associated with psychological distress and self-criticism, which may exacerbate psychological problems. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of psychological distress and self-criticism in predicting body image concern among students.

research methodology: This descriptive-correlational study included all students of the Islamic Azad University, Zanjan Branch, during the 2024–2025 academic year. A sample of 384 students was selected using cluster sampling. The research instruments included the Body Image Concern Inventory (Littleton et al., 2005), the Symptom Checklist (SCL-25-R), and the Self-Criticism Scale (Thompson & Zuroff, 2000). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and stepwise regression tests in SPSS.

Findings: The findings indicated a significant positive relationship between body image concern, psychological distress, and self-criticism (p<0.01). Moreover, psychological distress and self-criticism were significant predictors of body image concern among students. The reliability and validity coefficients of the instruments were reported as satisfactory.

Conclusion: Psychological distress and self-criticism are key factors in students’ body image concern, and addressing these factors is essential in designing interventions to promote students’ mental health.
Keywords
Body Image Concern
Islamic Azad University Zanjan Branch
Mental Health
Psychological Distress
Self-Criticism
Students
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  • Receive Date 07 June 2025
  • Revise Date 22 July 2025
  • Accept Date 03 September 2025
  • Publish Date 22 December 2025