Hardiness, defense Mechanisms, negative selfportrayal scale in applicants and non-applicants of cosmetic surgery

Introduction: Today the psychological factor is one of the controversial subjects in tendency to cosmetic surgery. This study has aimed to compare the hardiness, defense mechanisms and negative self-image among cosmetic surgery applicants with non-applicants. Method: This causal-comparative study was carried out in Tehran, Iran from April to June 2015. The samples of this study included 60 applicants and non- applicants of cosmetic surgery which were referred to private clinics for cosmetic surgery in regions one and two in Tehran and were selected by convenience sampling. The study tools included defense mechanisms questionnaires and psychological hardiness questionnaires, negative self-portrayal scale questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire. Data was analyzed by analysis of variance and multivariate tests. Results: The results of the multivariate analysis of the variance test indicated a significant difference between the applicant and the non-applicant of cosmetic surgery in hardiness aspects (control and commitment), defensive styles (matured, immature and neurotic), and negative self-portrayal scale (anxiety signs and physical appearance). Conclusion: Due to the differences between the hardiness, defense mechanisms and negative self-portrayal among applicants and non-applicants of cosmetic surgery, it is important to pay much attention to psychological structures before doing cosmetic surgery.