Association between body image satisfaction and depressive symptoms among young women in the UAE with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Non-PCOS - A comparative quantitative cross-sectional study

Sep 29, 2026

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition in women of reproductive age, affecting both physical and psychological well-being and often contributing to depressive symptoms and reduced body image satisfaction. With PCOS prevalence rising in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but limited psychological evidence, this cross-sectional study evaluates associations between depressive symptoms and body image satisfaction in young women with PCOS versus those without. Data were collected from 221 women aged 18–30 using PHQ-9, BICI, and BAS and analyzed with SPSS.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

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Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

OPEN ACCESS Citation: AlMekhlafi SA, Campo-Redondo MS (2026) Association between body image satisfaction and depressive symptoms among young women in the UAE with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Non-PCOS: A comparative quantitative cross-sectional study. PLoS One 21(1): e0333908. [https://doi](https://doi). org/10.1371/journal.pone.0333908 Editor: Ricardo Ney Oliveira Cobucci, UFRN: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, BRAZIL Received: December 17, 2024 Accepted: September 21, 2025 Published: January 6, 2026 Copyright: © 2026 AlMekhlafi, CampoRedondo. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Data availability statement: All data necessary to replicate the findings of this study are provided as a Supporting Information file and have RESEARCH ARTICLE Association between body image satisfaction and depressive symptoms among young women in the UAE with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Non-PCOS: A comparative quantitative cross-sectional study Shaima Abdrahman AlMekhlafi1,2, Maria Susana Campo-Redondo1* 1 Department of Clinical Psychology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, 2 Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates * [mcampo@uaeu.ac.ae](mcampo@uaeu.ac.ae) Abstract Background Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common conditions affecting women of reproductive age, significantly impacting both physical and psychological well-being, often leading to depressive symptoms and lower body image satisfaction. The prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is increasing. However, the psychological effects of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on women in the UAE remain underexplored due to cultural sensitivities surrounding reproductive health. This cross-sectional study examines the association between depressive symptoms and body image satisfaction among young women in the UAE, comparing those with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The study surveyed 221 women aged 18–30, with 94 having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and 127 without. Data were collected using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI), and Body Areas Satisfaction (BAS) subscales, and analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) . Results Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and body image concerns, along with lower body satisfaction, compared to those without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. While a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) correlated with lower body satisfaction, no significant association was found between Body Mass Index and depressive symptoms. PLOS One | [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0333908](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0333908) January 6, 2026 1 / 18 been fully anonymized. The dataset includes 221 participants, with 30 participants excluded, as indicated in the file. Responses are provided in both English and Arabic. No restrictions apply to access. Funding: The author(s) received no specific funding for this work. Competing interests: NO authors have competing interests Enter: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Conclusion These findings highlight the psychological impact of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on young women in the UAE, emphasizing the need for targeted mental health interventions and increased awareness. Introduction Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common syndromes affecting women of reproductive age [ 1], significantly affecting both physical and psychological well-being, often leading to depressive symptoms and lower body image satisfaction [2–4] . Recent studies highlight a growing prevalence of P

FAQs

What was the purpose of this study?

To examine the association between depressive symptoms and body image satisfaction among young women in the UAE, comparing those with PCOS and those without.

How many participants were included and how were they assessed?

The study surveyed 221 women aged 18–30 (94 with PCOS and 127 without) using PHQ-9, BICI, and BAS, and analyzed results with SPSS.

What were the main findings regarding depressive symptoms and body image?

Women with PCOS reported higher depressive symptoms and body image concerns, along with lower body satisfaction, compared with women without PCOS.

Sep 29, 2026

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