A new ARCH Lab paper, “Mediating effect of perceived physical appearance in the association of disability and psychopathology in youth with chronic physical illness: a sex-stratified analysis,” examined how young people’s views of their physical appearance may influence the relationship between disability and mental health among youth living with chronic physical illnesses.
Using data from 102 Canadian youth aged ten years and older who were participating in the MY LIFE study, researchers followed participants over two years to better understand connections between disability, self-perceived physical appearance, and emotional, behavioural, and attention-related symptoms.
The study found that higher levels of disability were linked to more behavioural and attention-related difficulties and to less positive perceptions of physical appearance for both boys and girls.
Researchers also identified an important difference between sexes. Among boys, negative perceptions of physical appearance helped explain the link between disability and later emotional symptoms. This pattern was not observed among girls.
The findings highlight the role that self-image may play in the mental health of youth with chronic physical illnesses and suggest that supporting positive perceptions of appearance could be an important part of care. The authors emphasize the need for further research to better understand these pathways and to develop effective interventions that support both physical and mental health in young people living with chronic illness.
