Work

How Appearance‐Related Avoidance Relates to Anxiety in Early Adolescence: Evidence from Longitudinal Analyses

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Research on appearance‐related avoidance behaviors and their links to anxiety in early adolescence is limited. This study used three‐wave data across one academic year to examine how appearance‐related avoidance behaviors (assessed at Wave 1) predict anxiety symptoms (measured at Waves 1–3) using zero‐inflated negative binomial (ZINB) mixed‐effects growth models. Participants included 1426 adolescents ( M age = 12.2; 45.9% girls, 44.4% boys, 9.6% another gender; racially/ethnically diverse). Appearance‐related avoidance predicted both higher baseline anxiety and changes in anxiety over time, indicating a weaker increase in anxiety across waves among adolescents reporting higher avoidance. No gender or race/ethnicity differences were found in these associations. These findings highlight the relevance of appearance‐related avoidance in adolescent anxiety.

Source: Social Development

DOI: 10.1111/sode.70077

Authors: Chelly Maes, Brianna A. Ladd, Anne J. Maheux

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Université Libre de Bruxelles, University of Maryland, College Park

Language: English

Topic: Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7166718832