Attitudes towards cosmetic surgery among university students

Preclinical students from the faculty of medicine at the University of Melbourne were chosen to participate, as they formed a fairly homogeneous group and were considered at a higher risk of experiencing appearance concerns than the general population.1,2 Students from clinical years were excluded, as their greater exposure to clinical medicine could have impacted on their attitudes towards cosmetic surgery. Participants completed a questionnaire that covered their experience of and familiarity with a range of cosmetic procedures, as well as attitudes towards cosmetic procedures.

About 320 students were approached for this study, and 284 agreed to participate (45% male; age [mean ± SD], 20.8 ± 3.4 years; body mass index [mean ± SD], 21.9 ± 2.7 kg/m2). Respondents noted a high degree of familiarity with cosmetic enhancement procedures (Box); only 8% were not familiar with any procedures. Thirty-six per cent knew someone who had had cosmetic surgery and 11% knew at least one person in their family who had had cosmetic surgery. Only four respondents (1%) had themselves had cosmetic surgery.

Many respondents were fearful of undergoing surgical procedures (53% “agreed” or “strongly agreed”). Over a third disapproved of people surgically altering their appearance for reasons of self-esteem (36%) or to feel better about themselves (35%), and 38% thought cosmetic surgery was a waste of money. Most respondents (63%) indicated they would be embarrassed to let others know if they had had such surgery, although 52% believed that appearance was an important facet of a person. The majority (70%) would not consider cosmetic surgery in later years, even if their partner wished them to (79%).

These findings are in stark contrast to a United States study of female college students, which found that about 5% of participants had undergone cosmetic surgery, 67% knew someone who had received a cosmetic surgical intervention, and around 33% had a family member who had undergone cosmetic surgery.3 Overall, their attitudes to cosmetic procedures were much more favourable, which might reflect a greater acceptance, availability and prevalence of cosmetic surgery in the US.

Our findings have relevance for the future Australian medical workforce, and suggest that broader issues relating to body image should be covered in the medical curriculum.