The Mediating Role of Rumination and Cognitive Distortion: The Relationship Between Body Image and Depression

Background: Depression is one of the mental disorders during which the patient’s activities are greatly reduced. There are many psychological factors that can play a role on depression.  Objectives: Present study was conducted with the aim of determining the mediating role of rumination and cognitive distortions in the relationship between body image and depression.  Materials Methods: The statistical population included the students studying at psychology course at Islamic Azad University- South Tehran Branch in the first semester of 2022-2023. A total of 300 participants were selected by convenience sampling method and responded to the Beck depression inventory questionnaire, multidimensional body-self relationship questionnaire, rumination response style scale, and cognitive distortions questionnaire. The proposed model was assessed using structural equation modeling via AMOS software, version 24.  Results: The findings of this research showed that there is a significant inverse association between body image and rumination, cognitive distortion and depression. Body image, rumination, and cognitive distortions explain a total of 67% of the variance in depression. The body image is mediated by cognitive distortion (β=-0.195) and rumination (β=-0.135).  Conclusion: Based on this, it is necessary to pay more attention to the role of rumination and cognitive distortions in the state of body image and exacerbation of depression. It is suggested to hold workshops in counseling and psychotherapy centers at universities in order to raise student’s awareness in the field of body image dissatisfaction problems.