International Journal of Social Sciences Vol. IX, No. 2 / 2020 DOI: 10.20472/SS.2020.9.2.002 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY DISSATISFACTION, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG YOUNG ADULTS MAHUM AZHAAR, MARIAM ANWAAR, MEHWISH DAWOOD, MAHEEN ALI, SIDRA SHOAIB Abstract: In the light of Self-Discrepancy Theory (SDT) and prevalence of body dissatisfaction in the Pakistani culture, the current correlational survey-based research design was aimed to explore the relationship between body dissatisfaction, depression, and anxiety among adult males and females. The hypotheses of the study were: (a) there will be a significant relationship between body dissatisfaction, anxiety and depression (b) there will be a significant difference in the level of body dissatisfaction between male and female adults. For this purpose, 343 unmarried young adults (Male n=168 & Female n=175), age ranging from 16-30 years (M=22.07, SD=3.07) were recruited. The Body Dissatisfaction Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale were administered on the participants. The results revealed a significant positive correlation (p < .01) between body dissatisfaction depression (r=0.27) and anxiety (r=0.32) however, the relationship with depression was weak while the moderate relationship was found with anxiety. Additionally, anxiety was found to be a positive predictor of body dissatisfaction. There was further a significant difference (p < .01) exhibited in the level of body dissatisfaction in males and females, where females had a higher level of body dissatisfaction as compared to males. Moreover, a significant difference (p<.01) which signifies that females were more depressed than males. The current research has important implications for training programs, counseling, and psychotherapy. Keywords: Body Dissatisfaction, Anxiety, Depression, Young Adults JEL Classification: I00, I18, I19 Authors: MAHUM AZHAAR, Institute of Professional Psychology, Karachi Campus, Bahria University, Pakistan, Email: mahum.azhaar@hotmail.com MARIAM ANWAAR, Institute of Professional Psychology, Karachi Campus, Bahria University, Pakistan, Email: m.anwaar09@gmail.com MEHWISH DAWOOD, Institute of Professional Psychology, Karachi Campus, Bahria University, Pakistan, Email: mehwishdawd@gmail.com MAHEEN ALI, Institute of Professional Psychology, Karachi Campus, Bahria University, Pakistan, Email: aimuphi110@live.com SIDRA SHOAIB, Institute of Professional Psychology, Karachi Campus, Bahria University, Pakistan, Email: sidrashoaib175@yahoo.com 21 Copyright © 2020, MAHUM AZHAAR et al., mahum.azhaar@hotmail.com