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Comparative Study
. 2009 May;42(4):339-45.
doi: 10.1002/eat.20613.

Comparison of body dissatisfaction and cosmetic rhinoplasty with levels of veil practicing in Islamic women

Reza Rastmanesh  1 , Marci E Gluck, Zhaleh Shadman
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Comparison of body dissatisfaction and cosmetic rhinoplasty with levels of veil practicing in Islamic women

Reza Rastmanesh et al. Int J Eat Disord. 2009 May.

Abstract

Objective: The relationship between Islamic veiling, body dissatisfaction, and desire for cosmetic rhinoplasty (CR) has not been studied. We therefore compared body dissatisfaction (BD), depression, self-esteem, and prevalence and desire to have CR in 1,771 Iranian females.

Method: A battery of questionnaires was administered and participants were categorized into three groups of Islamic veil practicing: voluntarily and ideologically (IVP), non-complete (NCIVP), and Inconsiderate (IIVP).

Results: Despite a similar BMI, the IVP group scored significantly lower on BD, prevalence of dieting and exercising in order to be sexually appealing, and depression, higher on self-esteem, and had a lower desire for a CR than the two other groups. Prevalence of CR was significantly higher in the IIVP group than the other groups.

Discussion: Women who practiced more strict Islamic veiling techniques had increased body satisfaction and self esteem, and decreased depression scores and desire for CR. Consistent with other studies, our findings show that observance of a strict religious practice has a protective effect on psychological health.

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