The psychological changes in patients undergoing elective aesthetic surgery : a longitudinal study : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
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Date
2017
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Massey University
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Abstract
The popularity of elective cosmetic surgery has risen rapidly over the last two
decades, drawing attention to its pursuit and psychological effects. However, the
literature shows mixed results regarding the psychological outcomes of cosmetic
surgery, suggesting methodological weaknesses across a majority of the studies, and
lending weight to the belief that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate the
psychological benefits of cosmetic surgery. The current study explores the
psychological change in cosmetic surgery patients before and six months after the
surgery, using mixed methods of applied longitudinal analysis and thematic analysis.
It explores the psychological differences between 17 prospective cosmetic surgery
patients and a comparison group of 20 not planning cosmetic surgery, examines why
patients undergo surgery, and looks at factors that could influence surgery outcomes.
Psychological measures were taken before the surgery and two weeks, three months
and six months after the surgery. The psychological outcome variables include global
self-esteem, appearance evaluation and orientation, psychological wellbeing and
body image-related quality of life. No psychological difference was found between
prospective cosmetic surgery participants and the comparison group, except that the
surgery participants were more dissatisfied with their overall appearance and their
body image experiences were more likely to have negatively affected their lives
preoperatively compared with the comparison group. Cosmetic surgery was sought to
address concerns and dissatisfaction over physical appearance, and under the
expectation of postoperative psychological enhancement. Cosmetic surgery
participation was significantly associated with increased appearance satisfaction over
time, whereas no significant changes was found in other psychological variables. The
majority of the postoperative cosmetic participants reported that their appearance
dissatisfaction in other parts of their bodies have a somewhat negative impact on their
lives, whereas the comparison group described that such appearance dissatisfaction
has no effect on their lives or minor preoccupation at the most. Implications for
future research and clinical practice are discussed.
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Keywords
Body image, Psychological aspects, Surgery, Plastic, Patients, Longitudinal studies