Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery A Comparative Analysis based on Gender, Religion and Geographical Locations

Cosmetic surgery involves enhancing, maintaining, and repairing a person's physical appearance through surgical procedures. This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design to examine acceptance levels of cosmetic surgery based on gender, place of residence, and religion. The study hypothesizes that acceptance is higher internationally than in Pakistan, females exhibit greater acceptance than males, and individuals of Islamic faith have lower acceptance than those of other religions. The Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale (ACSS) is used to assess participant’s opinions. A total of 233 participants, aged 18 to 35, were recruited via convenience sampling through online surveys across Pakistan, the USA, the Middle East, Canada, Italy, and the UK. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25, employing t-tests to examine differences in acceptance based on demographics. Findings revealed significant differences in acceptance between individuals of Islamic faith and those of other religions (t = -13.514, p < 0.01) and between those residing in Pakistan and internationally (t = -2.656, p < 0.05). However, no significant gender-based difference was observed (t = 0.169, p > 0.05). These findings highlight cultural and religious influences on cosmetic surgery perceptions. Future research should explore additional variables and use qualitative approaches to gain deeper insights into the motivations and concerns surrounding cosmetic surgery.