International Research Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (IRJMPS)

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS IN AESTHETIC CHOICES: UNVEILING NARCISSISM AND GENDER IN COSMETIC SURGERY PREFERENCES

Authors

  • Allison R. Mitchell Department of Psychology, Kean University
  • Benjamin J. Turner Department of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology
  • Victoria L Harper School of Health Sciences, Nursing Program, Stockton University

Abstract

The global landscape of cosmetic surgery has witnessed a remarkable surge in procedures over the past few decades, reflecting a paradigm shift in societal attitudes towards beauty standards and self-enhancement. This study delves into the multifaceted dimensions of this escalating trend, drawing on data from authoritative sources such as Alotaibi (2021), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, 2021), Elliott (2008), Gelidan et al. (2021), and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS, 2021). Notably, these sources contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the burgeoning field of cosmetic surgery, offering insights into the factors driving its exponential growth.

Against this backdrop, the present research focuses on a global perspective, acknowledging the top 10 countries that emerged as focal points for cosmetic surgery procedures in the year 2020. These countries, namely the United States, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Turkey, Mexico, Argentina, Italy, Russia, and India, collectively represent diverse cultural, economic, and social landscapes. Examining the prevalence and preferences in these nations provides a nuanced analysis of the global dynamics influencing cosmetic surgery trends.

The motivations underlying the surge in cosmetic surgery procedures are explored, encompassing sociocultural factors, technological advancements, and evolving beauty ideals. As Alotaibi (2021) observes, societal perceptions of beauty have evolved, prompting individuals to seek cosmetic enhancements to align with contemporary standards. Additionally, the impact of technology, as highlighted by Gelidan et al. (2021), has democratized access to information, fostering a culture where individuals are increasingly informed and empowered to pursue aesthetic transformations.

Beyond individual motivations, the study investigates the role of regulatory frameworks and ethical considerations within the global cosmetic surgery landscape. Understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial in comprehending the variations in the prevalence of procedures across different countries. The research also addresses ethical concerns related to the commodification of beauty and the potential psychological implications on individuals undergoing cosmetic interventions.

In conclusion, this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on global cosmetic surgery trends by synthesizing data from reputable sources and offering a comprehensive analysis of the top 10 countries in 2020. The research not only sheds light on the driving forces behind the surge in cosmetic procedures but also emphasizes the importance of considering cultural, ethical, and regulatory factors in understanding the nuances of this phenomenon

Keywords:

Cosmetic surgery, Global trends, Beauty standards, sociocultural factors, Regulatory frameworks.

Published

2024-01-25

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10566742

How to Cite

Allison, R. M., Turner , B. J., & L, V. (2024). PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS IN AESTHETIC CHOICES: UNVEILING NARCISSISM AND GENDER IN COSMETIC SURGERY PREFERENCES . International Research Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (IRJMPS), 9(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10566742

References

Abraham, A., & Zuckerman, D. (2011). Adolescents, celebrity worship, and cosmetic surgery. Journal of Adolescent Health, 49(5), 453-454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.08.014

Alotaibi A. S. (2021). Demographic and cultural differences in the acceptance and pursuit of cosmetic surgery: A systematic literature review. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 9(3), e3501. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003501

American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Author.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2021). Plastic surgery statistics report. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report2020.pdf

Ames, D. R., Rose, P., & Anderson, C. P. (2006). The NPI-16 as a short measure of narcissism. Journal of Research in Personality, 40(4), 440-450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2005.03.002

Bollero, D. (2021). Jawline reshape technique with suspension threads to improve the effect of blepharoplasty on face rejuvenation. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 20, 12-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14283

Brown, A., Furnham, A., Glanville, L., & Swami, V. (2007). Factors that affect the likelihood of undergoing cosmetic surgery. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 27(5), 501-508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asj.2007.06.004

Chegeni, R., & Atari, M. (2017). The dark triad of personality and considering plastic surgery: An exploratory study. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 22(4), e12071. https://doi.org/10.1111/jabr.12071 Cuzalina, A., & Sohn, A. (2021). Forehead and eyebrow lift techniques. In E. M. Ferneini, M. T.

Goupil, M. A. McNulty, & C. E. Niekrash (Eds.), Applied head and neck anatomy for the facial cosmetic surgeon (pp. 149-166). Springer.

Daniel, R. K., & Pálházi, P. (2018). Rhinoplasty: an anatomical and clinical atlas. Springer.

Davis, W., & Lawrence, N. (2020). Weight loss: How does it fit in with liposuction? Dermatologic Surgery, 46(1), S22-S28.https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000002225

D'Agostino, A., Aportone, A., Rossi Monti, M., & Lemma, A. (2018). Beauty matters: Psychological features of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 35(2), 244253. https://doi.org/10.1037/pap0000099

Delinsky, S. S. (2005). Cosmetic surgery: A common and accepted form of self-improvement? Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 35(10), 2012-2028. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2005.tb02207.x

De Pedroza, L. V. (2013). Breast augmentation. In M. A. Schiffman & A. Di Giuseppe (Eds.), Cosmetic surgery: Art and techniques (pp. 555-570). Springer.

Edgerton, M. T., Jacobson, W. E., & Meyer, E. (1960). Surgical-psychiatric study of patients seeking plastic (cosmetic) surgery: Ninety-eight consecutive patients with minimal deformity. British Journal of PlasticSurgery, 13, 136-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0007-1226(60)80029-x

Elliott, A. (2008). Making the cut: How cosmetic surgery is transforming our lives. Reaktion Books.

Eriksen, S., & Goering, S. (2011). A test of the agency hypothesis in women’s cosmetic surgery usage. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 64(11-12), 888–901. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-011-9952-1 Fincher, E. F., & Moy, R. L. (2005). Cosmetic blepharoplasty. Dermatologic Clinics, 23(3), 431-442.

Furnham, A., & Levitas, J. (2012). Factors that motivate people to undergo cosmetic surgery. Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery, 20(4), e47-e50.

Gazize, S., & Gharadaghi, A. (2013). Comparing pathological symptoms of mental disorder, personality disorder of clusters b and c, and body image in cosmetic surgery applicants with those in non-applicants. Asian Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Researches, 3(4),139-147.

Gelidan, A. G., Mrad, M. A., Kattan, A. E., Kattan, W. E., AlEnazi, T. H., Bakraa, R. M., & Barry, M. A. (2020). The public's awareness and willingness to undergo plastic surgery procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 8(9), e3170. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003170

Goldberg D. J. (2012). Current trends in intense pulsed light. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology,5(6), 45-53. https://doi.org/10.4172/plastic-surgery.1000777

Goldschmidt, M., & Clemow, J. B. (2021). Neuromodulators (Botox). In E. M. Ferneini, M. T. Goupil, M. A. McNulty, & C. E. Niekrash (Eds.), Applied head and neck anatomy for the facial cosmetic surgeon (pp. 123-129). Springer.

Halepas, S., Chen, X. J., & Banki, M. (2021a). Applied anatomy in blepharoplasty. In E. M.Ferneini, M. T. Goupil, M. A. McNulty, & C. E. Niekrash (Eds.), Applied head and neck anatomy for the facial cosmetic surgeon (pp. 175-181). Springer.

Halepas, S., Ress, E., & Ferneini, E. M. (2021b). Facial fillers. In E. M. Ferneini, M. T. Goupil, M. A. McNulty, & C. E. Niekrash (Eds.), Applied head and neck anatomy for the facial cosmetic surgeon (pp. 131-141). Springer.

Henderson-King, D., & Henderson-King, E. (2005). Acceptance of cosmetic surgery: Scale development and validation. Body Image, 2(2), 137-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2005.03.003

Honigman, R. J., Phillips, K. A., & Castle, D. J. (2004). A review of psychosocial outcomes for patients seeking cosmetic surgery. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 113(4), 1229-1237.

https://doi.org/10.1097/01.prs.0000110214.88868.caInternational Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (2021). ISAPS global statistics. https://www.isaps.org/medical-professionals/isaps-global-statistics/

Ishigooka, J., Iwao, M., Suzuki, M., Fukuyama, Y., Murasaki, M., & Miura, S. (1998). Demographic features of patients seeking cosmetic surgery. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 52(3), 283-287. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1819.1998.00388.x

Jang, B., & Bhavsar, D. R. (2019). The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among elective plastic surgery patients. Eplasty, 19, e6.

Jovic, M., Sforza, M., Jovanovic, M., & Jovic, M. (2017). The Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale: Confirmatory factor analyses and validation among Serbian adults. Current Psychology: A Journal for Diverse Perspectives on Diverse Psychological Issues, 36(4), 707-718. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-016-94587

Khunger N. (2012). Facial peels. In: P. Prendergast & M. Shiffman (Eds.), Aesthetic Medicine (pp. 157-177). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-20113-4_14

Kucur, C., Kuduban, O., Ozturk, A., Gozeler, M. S., Ozbay, I., Deveci, E., Simsek, E., & Kaya, Z. (2016). Psychological evaluation of patients seeking rhinoplasty. The Eurasian Journal of Medicine, 48(2), 102106. https://doi.org/10.5152/eurasianjmed.2015.103

Langsdon P.R., & Shires C. (2013). Facelift. In M. A. Schiffman & A. Di Giuseppe (Eds.), Cosmetic surgery: Art and techniques (pp. 311-322). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-21837-821

Loron, A. M., Ghaffari, A., & Poursafargholi, N. (2018). Personality disorders among individuals seeking cosmetic botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) Injection, a cross-sectional study. The Eurasian Journal of Medicine, 50(3), 164-167. https://doi.org/10.5152/eurasianjmed.2018.17373

Malick, F., Howard, J., & Koo, J. (2008). Understanding the psychology of the cosmetic patients. Dermatologic Therapy, 21(1), 47-53. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8019.2008.00169.x

McCord, C. D., & Doxanas, M. T. (1990). Browplasty and browpexy: An adjunct toblepharoplasty. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 86(2), 248-254.https://doi.org/10.1097/00006534-199008000-00007

Mugea, T. T. (2013). Breast augmentation and mastopexy. In M. A. Schiffman & A. Di Giuseppe (Eds.), Cosmetic surgery: Art and techniques (pp. 715-745). Springer.

Mulkens, S., Bos, A. E., Uleman, R., Muris, P., Mayer, B., & Velthuis, P. (2012). Psychopathology symptoms in a sample of female cosmetic surgery patients. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 65(3), 321-327.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2011.09.038

Napoleon A. (1993). The presentation of personalities in plastic surgery. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 31(3), 193-208. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000637-199309000-00001

Okumuş, A. (2020). A qualitative assessment of women’s perspectives and experience of cosmetic surgery. European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 1-8.

Prasetyono, T. O. H., Budhipramono, A. G., & Andromeda, I. (2022). Liposuction assisted gynecomastia surgery with minimal periareolar incision: A systematic review. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 46(1), 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-021-02520-z

Raskin, B. I. (2013). Facial resurfacing with the ultrapulse laser. In M. A. Schiffman & A. Di Giuseppe (Eds.), Cosmetic surgery: Art and techniques (pp. 167-193). Springer.

Raskin, R., & Terry, H. (1988). A principal-components analysis of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and further evidence of its construct validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(5), 890-902.https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.54.5.890

Ritvo, E. C., Melnick, I., Marcus, G. R., & Glick, I. D. (2006). Psychiatric conditions in cosmetic surgery patients. Facial Plastic Surgery, 22(3), 194-197. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-950177

Sarwer, D. B., Cash, T. F., Magee, L., Williams, E. F., Thompson, J. K., Roehrig, M., Tantleff-Dunn, S., Agliata, A. K., Wilfley, D. E., Amidon, A. D., Anderson, D. A., & Romanofski, M. (2005). Female college students and cosmetic surgery: an investigation of experiences, attitudes, and body image. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 115(3), 931-938. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.prs.0000153204.37065.d3

Sarwer, D. B., & Crerand, C. E. (2004). Body image and cosmetic medical treatments. Body Image, 1(1), 99-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1740-1445(03)00003-2

Sarwer, D. B., Grossbart, T. A., & Didie, E. R. (2003). Beauty and society. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 22(2), 79-92. https://doi.org/10.1053/sder.2003.50014

Salehahmadi, Z., & Rafie, S. R. (2012). Factors affecting patients undergoing cosmetic surgery in Bushehr, Southern Iran. World Journal of Plastic Surgery, 1(2), 99-106.

Seretis, K., Goulis, D. G., Koliakos, G., & Demiri, E. (2015). Short- and long-term effects of abdominal lipectomy on weight and fat mass in females: A systematic review. Obesity Surgery, 25(10), 1950-1958. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-015-1797-1

Small, R. (2014). Botulinum toxin injection for facial wrinkles. American Family Physician, 90(3), 168-175.

Stephan, P. J., & Kenkel, J. M. (2010). Updates and advances in liposuction. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 30(1), 83-97. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820X10362728

Swami, V., Chamorro-Premuzic, T., Bridges, S., & Furnham, A. (2009). Acceptance of cosmetic surgery: Personality and individual difference predictors. Body Image, 6(1), 7-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2008.09.004

Swami, V., & Mammadova, A. (2012). Associations between considerations of cosmetic surgery, perfectionism dimensions, appearance schemas, relationship satisfaction, excessive reassurance, and love styles. Individual Differences Research, 10(2), 81-94.

Valikhani, A., Sattarian, R., Rahmanian, M., Moustafa, A. A., & McKinlay, A. (2021). Self-worth and selfknowledge in Iranian patients seeking cosmetic surgery: A comparative study. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 15, 1834490920974761.

Won, B. W., Joshi, N. S., Jongbloed, W., & Castiglione, C. L. (2021). Facelift. In E. M. Ferneini, M. T. Goupil, M. A. McNulty, & C. E. Niekrash (Eds.), Applied head and neck anatomy for the facial cosmetic surgeon (pp. 167-174). Springer.

Zojaji, R., Arshadi, H. R., Keshavarz, M., Mazloum Farsibaf, M., Golzari, F., & Khorashadizadeh, M. (2014). Personality characteristics of patients seeking cosmetic rhinoplasty. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 38(6), 10901093. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-014-0402-7

Similar Articles

1 2 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.