A hierarchical regression analysis of social physique anxiety, social comparison orientation, and coping strategies in relation to mental health among Japanese university students

Introduction Protecting the mental health of young people is critical in Japan. During self-concept development, youths are particularly vulnerable to excessive social comparisons, including comparisons of achievement and physical appearance. This study examines the independent effects of social physique anxiety (SPA) and social comparison orientation (SCO) on mental health and proposes coping strategies that may buffer their negative associations. Methods T -tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, Spearman rank correlation coefficients, Pearson correlation coefficients, and chi-squared tests were used for bivariate analyses. A hierarchical regression analysis was also performed to develop the model. Results Four hundred seventy-three students participated in this study. Both SPA (rs = 0.292) and SCO (rs = 0.281) were significantly and positively associated with mental health. In separate multiple regression models predicting mental health scores, Sense of Coherence was a significant predictor of better mental health (β = −0.562, p < 0.001, adjusted R 2 = 0.367), whereas the associations of SPA (β = 0.090, p = 0.105) and SCO (β = −0.002, p = 0.960) with mental health were no longer significant. A similar pattern was observed for self-efficacy (β = −0.431, p < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.258), with SPA (β = 0.109, p = 0.077) and SCO (β = 0.029, p = 0.553) showing no significant associations. In contrast, social support did not show a comparable effect. Discussion These findings highlight the importance of fostering internal coping resources, suggesting the need for further research on educational interventions to protect university students’ mental health.