OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE AND APPEARANCE ANXIETY IN YOUNG ADULTS: THE MODERATING ROLE OF REASSURANCE-SEEKING

Aliza Ali; Syyeda Taskeen Zahra; Rabia Khadim

Aliza Ali Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Management & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Syyeda Taskeen Zahra Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Management & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Rabia Khadim Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Management & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

Keywords: Openness to Experience Personality, Reassurance Seeking, Appearance Anxiety, Young Adults

Abstract

The university students increasingly face mental health challenges that may affect their academic functioning, emotional well-being & social adjustment. The current study examined the role of openness to experience in relation to reassurance seeking and appearance anxiety among young adults. A total of 220 university students with the age range of 16 to 31 years (M= 20.85, SD= 2.25) participated using a correlational research design. Pearson Correlation analysis results showed that openness to experience was negatively associated with reassurance seeking and showed a nonsignificant relationship with the appearance anxiety. However, moderation analysis revealed that reassurance seeking significantly moderated relationship between openness to experience and appearance anxiety indicating that individuals high in the openness may experience increased appearance towards anxiety when reassurance-seeking tendencies are elevated. The results from theoretrical and empirical outcomes offered significant information. The results provide significant information through the statistical procedures for analysing the data towars the desired conclusion and making suitable decisions about research issues under study. These results highlight the nuanced role of openness to experience in shaping the appearance-related concerns, particularly in the context of reassurance- driven behavior.