Abstract

This study investigated Personality Traits and Psychological Maltreatment as factors predicting Body Dysmorphia (BD) among Emerging Adults in Owerri. Nine hundred and nineteen (914) respondents comprising 447 males and 467 females were sampled from Owerri, using cluster sampling and random sampling technique. Respondents were aged 18 to 25 years with a mean age of 20.77 years and Standard Deviation of 2.18. Three hypotheses guided this study and three instruments were used for data collection. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis via SPSS. The results of the study showed that personality traits predicted BD among emerging adults. Psychological Maltreatment is also a predictor factor of BD. Personality Traits and Psychological Maltreatment together, predicted BD among emerging adults in Owerri. Discussion was made based on the findings of the current study and existing literature. A critical recommendation of this work is that Health Practitioners; Clinical Psychologists, Counselors and Plastic/Cosmetic Surgeons should consider these predictive factors (Personality traits and psychological maltreatment) in their clinical assessment of emerging adults. This will help in early identification of these predictive factors when handling emerging adults presenting BD symptoms and planning suitable and best treatments to administer with the aim of achieving a positive result (reducing the prevalence of this condition) especially among emerging adults.

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