Orme, Lily; (2024) Age-related Effects on Self-Focused Attention Across Adolescence and the Relationship with Symptoms of Body Dysmorphia, Social Anxiety and Depression. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Aims: Adolescence is a critical period for the development of several emotional disorders, including body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) and depression. It has been suggested that this may be partly due to developmental changes in certain cognitive processes, including self-focused attention (SFA). This study aimed to investigate age-related effects on SFA during adolescence, and its relationship with symptoms of BDD, SAD and depression. Based on existing evidence, we hypothesised that SFA would increase with age across the adolescent period, particularly in females. We further hypothesised that symptoms of BDD, SAD and depression would increase with age, particularly among females. Lastly, we expected that SFA would mediate the association between age and symptoms. Method: A sample of 638 secondary school students aged 11-18 years (42% female) completed an online survey, including validated measures of SFA, BDD, SAD and depression, along with core demographic information. Results: Regression models indicated that age was positively associated with SFA, and with symptoms of BDD, SAD and depression. The associations of age with SFA, SAD and depression were, on average, greater in females, although this age by sex interaction effect only reached statistical significance for BDD symptoms. Mediation models indicated that SFA fully mediated the effect of age on SAD symptoms, and partially mediated age effects on symptoms of BDD and depression. Conclusions: Levels of SFA, and symptoms of BDD, SAD and depression increase through adolescence and are higher amongst adolescent females than males. The current findings provide support for the notion that symptoms of BDD, SAD and depression may, in part, increase during adolescence because young people become more self-focused. However, the cross-sectional design precludes firm conclusions, and longitudinal studies are required to determine directions of effect.

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