Health Risk Behavior in Iranian Women: Investigating the Relationship Between Traditional Gender Role Attitudes and Body Image

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aims to design and test a model of factors affecting the acceptance of cosmetic surgery in Iranian female students. Methods: A sample of 600 female students aged 18 to 35 were selected from Kharazmi University using cluster random sampling. The participants completed six questionnaires: The short version of the attitude toward women scale, the beliefs about appearance scale, the body areas satisfaction scale, the body image coping strategies inventory, the rhinoplasty outcome evaluation, and the acceptance of cosmetic surgery scale. A structural model was used to examine the relationships among research variables. Results: Results showed a good level of fit to the data and proposed that gender role attitudes can facilitate cosmetic surgery in women by mediator roles of dysfunctional appearance beliefs, body dissatisfaction, coping strategies, and outcome expectancy. Discussion: The study highlights the importance of traditional gender role attitudes in body dissatisfaction and cosmetic surgeries among Iranian women. Indeed, traditional gender role attitudes can encourage women to conform to beauty standards and undertake cosmetic procedures. These procedures can expose them to risks and unwanted consequences. Therefore, future research and prevention programs should be paid more attention to these traditional beliefs.