NSU Research Contributions
Title : Subthreshold and probable full-syndrome body dysmorphic disorder among medical and dental students in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study
Authors : Ruksana Sharmin Swarna, Mridul Kanti Roy, Mariam Zamila, Farzana Rahman, Md. Farhan Ibne Faruq, Taposhee Rabeya Rahman Zenith, Rinku Das, Imteaz Mahmud, and Mohammad Delwer Hossain Hawlader
| Journal Article Title: Journal of Affective Disorders | Volume Number: 391 | Publication Year : 2025 |
| Index: scopus | Ranking: Q1 | Publisher Name: Elsevier B.V. |
| Pages : 9 | ||
| ISSN (Online): 0165-0327 | ||
| Funding Source : None |
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Direct Sustainable Development Goals : SDG3 Good Health & Well-being |
Indirect Sustainable Development Goals : SDG4 Quality Education SDG10 Reduced Inequality |
Sustainable Development Sub Goals : Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health and well-being Achieve universal health coverage |
| Impact statement: This landmark study is the first-ever investigation to reveal the dimensions of body image misperception among medical and dental students in Bangladesh, uncovering a significant prevalence of subthreshold (13.3%) and probable full-syndrome (5.8%) Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). The research identifies that being female, studying dentistry, substance use, and excessive social media use (>3 hours daily) are powerful correlates for these conditions. Furthermore, the study highlights that mirror checking and social comparison are the most common repetitive behaviours among those affected, often focused on perceived flaws in the skin, hair, and teeth. These findings serve as an urgent call for policymakers and academic institutions to implement targeted psychological support and awareness programs to protect the mental well-being of future healthcare professionals. | Collaboration: Partner University | Keywords: Body dysmorphic disorder; Bangladesh |
