The Mediating Role of Internalized Shame in the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Unstable Self-Esteem in Individuals Seeking Cosmetic Surgery

Purpose: The aim of this study was to test a structural model of unstable self-esteem based on childhood trauma, considering the mediating role of internalized shame among individuals seeking cosmetic surgery. Methods and Materials: This research was fundamental and quantitative in nature, employing a descriptive correlational and structural equation modeling approach. The study population consisted of all individuals seeking cosmetic surgery who were residing in Tehran and visiting cosmetic clinics during ۲۰۲۳-۲۰۲۴. From this population, a sample of ۳۰۴ individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate was selected using convenience sampling. The study utilized the Bernstein Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (۲۰۰۳), the Unstable Self-Esteem Scale by Chabrol, Rousseau, and Callahan (۲۰۰۶), and the Internalized Shame Scale by Cook (۱۹۹۳) for data collection. Data analysis was conducted using a correlation matrix and structural equation modeling. Findings: The results of data analysis indicated that the indices of the proposed model had an acceptable fit. The path from childhood trauma to unstable self-esteem (β = ۰.۱۱۸, P = ۰.۰۳۵), the path from childhood trauma to internalized shame (β = ۰.۶۴۱, P = ۰.۰۰۱), and the path from internalized shame to unstable self-esteem (β = ۰.۵۶۹, P = ۰.۰۰۰) were significant. Additionally, the mediating role of internalized shame (β = ۰.۳۶۵, P = ۰.۰۰۱) was confirmed at the ۹۵% confidence level. Conclusion: Childhood trauma directly and indirectly, through internalized shame, affects unstable self-esteem in individuals seeking cosmetic surgery.

کلیدواژه ها:

Childhood Trauma ، Unstable Self-Esteem ، Internalized Shame ، cosmetic surgery