The mediating role of perceived social support in the relationship between mindfulness and body image concerns in amputees

Introduction: Body image is one of the important aspects of people's mental health, and those who suffer from amputation face many problems related to body image concerns. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of developing the structural relationship between mindfulness and body image concern in amputees with the mediating role of perceived social support. Methods: The current research was descriptive-correlation based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population of this research was amputees who referred to the comprehensive rehabilitation center of Red Crescent Society of Tehran in 1401, of which 260 people were selected by purposive sampling. To collect data, Littleton's body image concern questionnaire, Bauer's five-dimensional mindfulness questionnaire, and Zimmet's multidimensional scale of perceived social support were used. Data analysis was also done with the help of SPSS18 and AMOS23 software and structural equation test. Result: The findings showed that the research model has a good fit and the causal model of the relationship between mindfulness, perceived social support and body image concern in people with amputations was confirmed. Also, mindfulness and perceived social support have a direct impact on body image concerns. In addition, mindfulness has an indirect effect on body image concern through perceived social support. Conclusion: The results of the research indicate the importance of the role of mindfulness and perceived social support on body image concerns of people with amputations. According to the obtained results, implementing programs to improve mindfulness and perceived social support in people with amputations can lead to a reduction in their body image concerns.