Effects of Existentially Oriented Interventions on Emotion Regulation and Cognitive Patterns among Clients of Cosmetic Clinics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analytic Synthesis of Studies on Internalized Shame, Experiential Avoidance, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Cognitive Flexibility

The increasing global demand for cosmetic procedures has led to a parallel rise in research addressing the emotional and cognitive characteristics of cosmetic‑clinic clients. Many of these individuals present with elevated internalized shame, maladaptive appearance schemas, experiential avoidance, anxiety sensitivity, and reduced cognitive flexibility. Over the past decade, existentially oriented therapeutic models have been integrated into body‑image–related interventions with growing empirical support. The present study systematically reviews and synthesizes international and Persian‑language research published between ۲۰۲۰ and ۲۰۲۵, focusing on the impact of existentially oriented or meaning‑centered interventions on emotion regulation, shame‑based processes, avoidance patterns, anxiety sensitivity, and cognitive flexibility among individuals seeking or considering cosmetic procedures. Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, SID, Magiran, and Google Scholar. Twenty‑five eligible studies were identified, and twelve of these met criteria for quantitative aggregation. The meta‑analytic component indicates that existential interventions exert a moderate to large effect on reducing internalized shame and experiential avoidance and demonstrate medium effects on cognitive flexibility and anxiety sensitivity. Conceptual analysis further suggests that existential methods influence emotion regulation by modifying fundamental assumptions about meaning, mortality, authenticity, and self‑valuation. Findings highlight the relevance of existential approaches for cosmetic‑clinic clients because these methods target underlying shame‑based schemas and self‑objectification patterns rather than focusing solely on surface‑level appearance concerns.

کلیدواژه ها:

Existential therapy ، Emotion regulation ، Internalized shame ، Experiential avoidance ، Anxiety sensitivity ، Cognitive flexibility ، Cosmetic clinics ، Body image